A happy accident kickstarted our group in 1998, when we were 13 years old, attending a school for music and dance. Amidst stretching ballerinas and improvising jazz pianists, we were simply assigned to play together. Our teacher spoon-fed us repertoire just beyond our ability, knowing we were about to discover the addictive magic of playing string quartets. We spent our teenage years rehearsing in the school attic, immersing ourselves in the richness of the string quartet repertoire while learning to navigate both the music and our evolving relationships. Balancing a budding concert career with high school life was both challenging and rewarding, often providing excellent excuses to skip class. This lifestyle juxtaposition was on full display when we showed up to the prize-announcement ceremony of the 2003 Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz, wearing pajamas, ready to cheer on the prize winners - only to discover we were to be awarded the first prize ourselves…

Today, 27 years in and with three founding members still on board, our mission is to breathe life into the bread and butter of the string quartet repertoire while shining a spotlight on the compelling music of our time. This commitment led us to perform the complete Beethoven cycle before any of us turned 30, while also expanding the repertoire through commissions by established composers such as Mohammed Fairouz, Matan Porat or John Harbison. The joy of sharing the music we love with audiences in the most direct way remains the essence of our experience as musicians - it is the “glue” that has kept us together for more than half our lives. We were fortunate to have had inspiring mentors, including the members of the Cleveland Quartet, Walter Levin of the LaSalle Quartet, and the Amadeus Quartet. Over the past 12 years, succeeding the LaSalle Quartet as Quartet-in-Residence at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has become a deeply fulfilling part of our lives. Sharing the experience we’ve gained onstage, we maintain individual studios, mentor young ensembles, and are particularly excited about the recent revival of the renowned graduate string quartet residency program.

Our unusual journey has been fundamental in shaping who we are. Beyond the demands of our shared professional path, we have walked together as friends who have truly become family. From late-night debates about tempo and sight-reading marathons to raising our children alongside one another while balancing an international concert career, we have shared every stage of life. This closeness has created a deep and unique bond that continues to shape our identity, both on stage and beyond.

The Ariel Quartet thrills audiences with its virtuosity, probing musical insight, and impassioned, fiery performances.

In addition to the Cleveland Quartet Award, the Ariel Quartet has won numerous international prizes in addition to the Cleveland Quartet Award: Grand Prize at the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the Székely Prize for the performance of Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4, and Third Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition.

The Ariel Quartet serves as the Faculty Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where they direct the chamber music program and present a concert series in addition to maintaining a busy touring schedule in the United States and abroad.

Renowned for their interpretations of Beethoven’s quartets, the Ariel Quartet has performed the complete Beethoven cycle numerous times throughout the United States and Europe. They regularly collaborate with eminent musicians, including pianists Jeremy Denk and Orion Weiss, cellists Paul Watkins and Claudio Bohorquez and in 2020, the Quartet gave the U.S. premiere of the Quintet for Piano and Strings by Daniil Trifonov with the composer as pianist.  They have also served as Quartet-in-Residence for leading institutions such as the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute, the Yellow Barn Music Festival, and the Perlman Music Program.

The Ariel was mentored extensively by acclaimed string quartet giants Walter Levin and Paul Katz, and they have won numerous international prizes: 2003 First Prize at the Franz Schubert Competition in Graz/Austria, the Grand Prize at the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Székely Prize for the performance of Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4, and Third Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition. The American Record Guide described the group as “a consummate ensemble gifted with utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power” and noted, in particular, their playing of Beethoven’s monumental Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, as “the pinnacle of the competition.” 

The Ariel Quartet has received significant support from the American-Israel Cultural Foundation, Dov and Rachel Gottesman, and the Legacy Heritage Fund, and were awarded a grant from the A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation. 

Beyond their musical pursuits, the members of the Ariel Quartet bring a rich diversity of passions to their lives. Gershon is a programming enthusiast and espresso aficionado, known for his expertise in spreadsheets and his love of Satsivi and Bourbon. Sasha, a supermom of two boys, channels her creativity through arts and crafts and finds joy in hiking and the outdoors. Jan, a private chef-level culinary artist, is a home barista and father of three girls, and Amit, a master baker and pastry expert, delights in perfecting her cappuccino craft while being a supermom of the same three girls.

For more information visit www.arielquartet.com

August  2024 – Please do not edit without permission.