about

The Arneis Quartet performs an eclectic range of programs from the standard to contemporary, including commissions of new works and interdisciplinary collaborations in New England and throughout the world.  Known for playing with “a conviction that commands attention” (Fanfare) and “a unique collective sound which is as warm and full of sparkle as liquid gold” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), the quartet is playfully named after the Arneis grape—a varietal that is difficult to grow, but which yields an exquisite white wine.  

Working with living composers serves as a key part of the quartet’s artistic mission.  Gramophone praised their “vivacious rendition” of Elena Ruehr’s String Quartet No. 8 on a recently released recording of her works. Arneis collaborated with Coro Allegro to premiere Andrea Clearfield’s here i am: i am here, based on open letters by LGBTQ+ youth advocates Mimi Lemay and Sam Brinton.  Other recent premieres and collaborations include works by Gabriela Lena Frank, Jonathan Berger, Julien Labro, and Aaron Travers.  Building on their affinity for collaboration Arneis launched their Kaisahan Initiative in 2022 to explore projects and partnerships to broaden their eclectic approach to programming across a diverse range of cultural traditions.  Recent Kaisahan artists-in-residence include Susie Ibarra and Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ. 

Committed to community engagement and music education, the Quartet has worked with music students at the Boston Arts Academy, Perkins School for the Blind, and the Boston Public Schools. Quartet members are on the faculties of Boston University and St. Anselm College.  The Quartet also works with students in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras Intensive Community Program.

-Revised October 23, 2024; please discard versions retrieved before this date.