VC Young Artist Viano Quartet’s Debut Album, “Portraits”

Released on Curtis Studio, the album includes works by Florence Price, Alberto Ginastera, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky

To mark the conclusion of its student residency at the Curtis Institute of Music, VC Young Artist Viano Quartet has released its debut album on the school’s own Curtis Studio label.

The Viano Quartet comprises violinists Hao Zhou and Lucy Wang, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Tate Zawadiuk. 

The group’s new PORTRAITS album features four iconic works from the 19th and 20th centuries: Schubert’s Quartet No. 14, “Death and the Maiden” in D minor; Florence Price’s Quartet No. 1; Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 1; and Alberto Ginastera’s Quartet No. 1.

“The first movement of Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is a profound battle between light and dark, and we aim to convey this narrative through every note,” the quartet explained. “The finale is a tarantella, which is a dance of hysteria that victims experience upon being bitten by a venomous tarantula.

“Price’s quartet in G major’s slow movement evokes the warmth and comfort of home, making it a poignant and universal experience that we love to share with our audiences,” they continued. 

“Known to have moved Tolstoy to tears, Tchaikovsky’s slow movement from his String Quartet No. 1 allows us to share our most sensitive playing with our audiences. It is a testament to our love for beautiful melodic writing and our ensemble’s quest to create a sound that is both lush and tender.

“In Ginastera’s Quartet No. 1, we thrive on creating a massive sound and an endless supply of energy. In this regard, the quartet is high octane fuel that powers us to play fast and furiously.”

To purchase and listen to the album, click here. 

The Curtis Institute of Music’s record label, Curtis Studio, was launched last year and is dedicated to the discovery of new and traditional works. With the aim of making classical music recordings more readily available through modern streaming services, each release will be available digitally. Distributed by artist services company Platoon, the label will feature performances by Curtis alumni, faculty, and students.

The Viano Quartet was named Curtis’ Quartet in Residence at the beginning of the 2021/22 academic year. As part of their residency, they worked with the school’s faculty members, including VC artist Dover Quartet.

Since winning the joint top prize at the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition, the Viano Quartet has performed in New York, London, Berlin, Vancouver, Paris, Beijing, Toronto, Lucerne, and Los Angeles.

The group is currently in-residence at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Bowers Program from 2024 to 2027 and will serve as the inaugural June Goldsmith Quartet-in-Residence for the Music in the Morning series in Vancouver until 2025. 

Viano Quartet’s live performance on The Violin Channel’s Vanguard Concert Series 2, can be viewed below.