Cordova Quartet
Andy Liang, violin
Niccoló Muti, violin
Blake Turner, viola
Matthew Kufchak, cello
Program
Joseph Haydn
String Quartet No. 5 in F Major, Op. 50
Maurice Ravel
String Quartet in F Major
Bedřich Smetana
String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, "From My Life"
Since their formation in 2013, the Cordova Quartet has performed in venues across the United States and Canada. They love exploring the inherent versatility of the string quartet — recent projects have included a collaboration with Grammy-Award-winning jazz artists Billy Childs and Dianne Reeves, quintet performances with pianists Anton Nel and Robert McDonald, and a set on the New Music Showcase at the 2015 SXSW Music Festival.
With a passion for education, the quartet has presented concerts, workshops, and master classes for students of all ages in Austin, Texas through their partnerships with the Austin Chamber Music Center and Texas Performing Arts. As part of a fellowship with the Madeline Island Music Camp, they completed a five-day Artist Residency in Minnesota's Twin Cities, coaching local chamber music students and performing in local schools. They have also co-taught continuing education seminars at the University of Texas.
The Cordova Quartet actively seeks to engage their community in diverse ways. In addition to traditional performances in concert halls, the quartet has performed in libraries, art galleries, and bars, and has presented interactive open rehearsals that give their audiences insight into the creative process. The quartet formed at Rice University, studying primarily under the tutelage of Desmond Hoebig and Norman Fischer. They are currently the Young Professional String Quartet in Residence at the University of Texas at Austin where they study with the Miró Quartet.