Chamber Music at the Clark presents: Ying Quartet

The Grammy Award-winning Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its third decade, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls; at the same time, the Quartet’s belief that concert music can also be a meaningful part of everyday life has drawn the foursome to perform in settings as diverse as the workplace, schools, juvenile prisons, and the White House. The Los Angeles Times says, “The Ying Quartet came as close to the ideal as possible, delivering chamber music of astonishing, refreshing exaltation and exhilaration.”

The Ying Quartet first came to professional prominence in the early 1990s as the first recipient of an NEA Rural Residence Grant which led to them serving as the resident quartet of Jesup, Iowa–a farm town of 2,000 people. Playing before audiences of six to six hundred in homes, schools, churches, and banks, the Quartet had its first opportunities to use music and creative endeavor to help build community and authentic human connection. The Quartet considers its time in Jesup the foundation of its present musical life and goals.

The Quartet’s recent seasons have featured performances in major halls throughout the world including in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and multiple tours throughout China. They also collaborate regularly with jazz pianist Billy Childs, bassist Xavier Foley, and PUSH Physical Theatre.