JOSEF SUK PIANO QUARTET

The JOSEF SUK PIANO QUARTET (formerly Ensemble Taras, whose name was changed following a prestigious offer from the widow of the renowned Czech violinist Josef Suk, who passed away in 2011) was originally founded as a piano trio in 2007. In this formation, the ensemble won First Prize at the Brahms Competition and the Rovere d’Oro Competition in 2008, followed by First Prize at the Val Tidone Competition in 2010. From 2012, the ensemble expanded into a piano quartet and, in this new formation, achieved two major international distinctions: First Prize at the “Salieri–Zanetti” Competition in Verona in 2013 and First Prize at the International “Premio Trio di Trieste” Competition (jury chaired by Bruno Canino). In 2014, the quartet was awarded the prestigious Prize of the Czech Society for Chamber Music. As a result of these successes, the ensemble has performed in leading concert halls worldwide and released its debut CD and DVD on the Milan-based label Limen Music and Arts, featuring works by Fauré and Brahms, followed by a CD on Azzurra Music devoted to Mahler and Brahms. In 2017, the quartet released a new recording on the Supraphon label featuring works by Suk and Dvořák, which was met with enthusiastic international critical acclaim, including praise from The Guardian, Gramophone and MusicWeb International. The Josef Suk Piano Quartet performs regularly throughout Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Japan, and has appeared in prestigious venues such as the Rudolfinum in Prague, the Quirinal Palace in Rome, Teatro Verdi in Trieste, the Trento Philharmonic Hall, the Auditorio de Castellón and the Sala Maffeiana in Verona. The ensemble is a frequent guest at major festivals, including the Prague Spring Festival, Bologna Festival, the Venice Biennale, the Leoš Janáček Festival, the Ema Destinnová Festival, Emilia Romagna Festival and the Appassionata Festival. Live performances by the quartet have been broadcast by Italian Radio (RAI), Austrian Radio (ORF) and Czech Radio (ČRo). The repertoire of the Josef Suk Piano Quartet ranges from Classical music to contemporary works, with a particular focus on Brahms, Dvořák, Suk and Martinů, alongside significant works of the 20th century and contemporary compositions. The ensemble is especially noted for its premieres of works by composers such as Jürg Darbellay, Michael E. Keller, Marco D’Amico, Martina Jiráčková and Jiří Gemrot.