The French Quatuor Ébène string quartet is the winner of the Frankfurt Music Prize 2019.
The award is given annually within the framework of the Musikmesse trade fair in Frankfurt and honors personalities who have made a special contribution to the international music scene and culture. The presentation ceremony will be held in St. Paul’s Church, Frankfurt, on April 5, 2019.
The Quatuor Ébène string quartet was founded in 1999 at the Boulogne-Billancourt Conservatory in France. The group first came to international attention in 2004 after winning first prize in the string quartet category at the ARD International Music Competition.
“The Trustees of the Frankfurt Music Prize acclaim Quatuor Ébène as an outstanding ensemble whose electrifying playing is characterised by passion, complete fidelity to the original works and a simultaneous delight in improvisation,” reads a statement from the press team for the Frankfurt Music Prize. “Through their seemingly effortless crossover into the world of jazz, the musicians have succeeded in increasing public awareness of the string quartet as the elite of chamber music, as well as attracting more people, especially younger people, to the concert halls. Moreover, the members of Quatuor Ébène – Pierre Colombet, Gabriel Le Magadure, Marie Chilemme and Raphaël Merlin – also pass on their outstanding skills and expertise to the coming generation of musicians in master classes.”
