In residence at Stony Brook, the Emerson Quartet reaches out to the world

Of the many celebrated performers appearing at Stony Brook's Staller Center there is but one internationally-renowned quartet that is also part of University faculty: the Emerson String Quartet. One of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles and winner of seven Grammy Awards, the Quartet consists of Eugene Drucker (Violin); Philip Setzer (Violin); Lawrence Dutton (Viola); and David Finckel (Cello), Stony Brook’s artists-in-residence since 2002.

The Quartet joined Stony Brook's music department to coach in the chamber music program, give master classes, and provide instrumental instruction to Stony Brook students. But the Emersons' contributions to regional cultural life reach well beyond the classroom.

The ensemble conducted its first International Chamber Music Festival at Stony Brook in June 2004 and is planning its second Festival for May 2006. Master classes with student quartets that take place during the festival are open to the public. The Quartet also performs several concerts during the year at the Staller Center, to the delight of students, faculty, and community.

Formed in 1976, the Emerson String Quartet took its name from the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. The group’s impressive list of achievements includes a brilliant series of recordings exclusively released by Universal Classics/Deutsche Grammophon since 1987, seven Grammy Awards including an unprecedented two citations for Best Classical Album, and complete cycles of the Bartok, Beethoven and Shostakovich string quartets in the major concert halls of the world. For nearly 30 years, the group has collaborated with such artists as Emanuel Ax, Misha Dichter, and the Guarneri String Quartet.

The Emerson String Quartet has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, USA Today, Elle, Bon Appetit, Gramophone, The Strad, and Strings. Television appearances include PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, WNET's City Arts, WLIW's Metroguide, and A&E's Biography of Beethoven and Breakfast with the Arts. The ensemble has been the subject of two award-winning films and is based in New York City.

For information about the Emerson String Quartet’s upcoming appearances at Stony Brook and the second International Chamber Music Festival in May, visit the Festival site and the University’s online calendar.