Curtis Studio Releases "PORTRAITS," the Debut Recording of the Viano Quartet

“I think the process of self-discovery is really just beginning. We called the project PORTRAITS as a reflection of the music we love and our growth at Curtis, but if there’s something we’ve realized over the last two years, it’s that our portraits will be developing and growing even after we graduate.” —Hao Zhou, Viano Quartet

As a final artistic statement of their time here at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Viano Quartet, the Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Program participants from 2021 to 2023, has released their debut recording, an exciting audiovisual project entitled PORTRAITS, through Curtis Studio, the recording label of the Curtis Institute of Music.

PORTRAITS is available to stream on all major music platforms. Listen Now. 

Thoughtfully curated, created, and originated by the members of the quartet—violinists Lucy Wang and Hao Zhou, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Tate Zawadiuk, all 2023 Curtis graduates—in collaboration with the school’s cutting-edge Performance Innovation Lab, the recording offers an intimate view of the string quartet and invites listeners to join the four young artists on an intensely personal and emotional journey.

On Apple Music Classical, PORTRAITS includes companion video performances of each work, allowing viewers to witness the ensemble’s energy and enthusiasm as they bring this music to life. Shot in close-up, each video offers an extraordinarily intimate cinematic experience for viewers, inviting the audience to join each artist on an intensely emotional journey. This unique playlist captures the heightened passion, dramatic depth, and richly hued sound palette of four iconic works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

PORTRAITS includes two movements of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 (“Death and the Maiden”); Florence Price’s Andante moderato from String Quartet No. 1 in G major; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Andante cantabile from String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11; and the first movement of Alberto Ginastera’s String Quartet No. 1, Op. 27, Allegro violento ed agitato. As the Viano Quartet reflects on its time at Curtis and concludes its residency to join the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program, this thoughtfully curated collection serves as a historical multimedia document of the ensemble’s experience at the school and a fascinating “portrait” of one of the most sought-after contemporary quartets in classical music.

For nearly a century, Curtis has provided each member of its small student body with an unparalleled education, distinguished by a “learn by doing” philosophy and personalized attention from a faculty that includes a high proportion of actively performing musicians. Students come to Curtis from across the globe to hone their craft, rehearse, and perform alongside their musical peers and the school’s celebrated faculty and alumni to join the front rank of some of the world’s most extraordinary performers, composers, conductors, and musical leaders. The Viano Quartet’s collaborative debut album highlights what makes Curtis unique among conservatories and other educational institutions. Students are given the space and tools to grow in their artistry and hone their craft in a nurturing, supportive environment where creative ideas and musicianship can flourish.

The Viano Quartet on PORTRAITS

Florence Price: Andante moderato, from String Quartet No. 1 in G major
“Florence Price’s quartet in G major’s slow movement evokes the warmth and comfort of home, making it a poignant and universal experience that we love to share with our audiences. As a traveling string quartet, we understand the significance of returning home after a long journey, and we strive to convey that sentiment through the gentle and wholesome melody that opens her Andante moderato.”

Alberto Ginastera: Allegro violento ed agitato, from String Quartet No. 1, Op. 27 
“Viano Quartet plays with fire. We thrive on creating a massive sound and an endless supply of energy. Performing the first movement of Ginastera’s first quartet is the high octane fuel that powers us to play fast and furious.”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Andante cantabile, from String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11
“In contrast to the Ginastera, we also aim to always play from our hearts. Tchaikovsky’s slow movement, known to have moved Tolstoy to tears, allows us to share our most sensitive playing with our audiences. This piece is a testament to our love for beautiful melodic writing and our ensemble’s quest to create a sound that is both lush and tender.”

Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 (“Death and the Maiden”)
“Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is a monumental work that inspires us to find an abundance of colors and emotions in our playing. The first movement to us is a profound battle between light and dark, and we aim to convey this narrative through every note. The finale is a tarantella, which is a dance of hysteria that victims experience upon being bitten by a venomous tarantula—perfect for anyone with a fear of spiders! For us, this work has been a multi-year journey and each time we play it, we push ourselves to take risks to create an experience that is both engaging and visceral.”

Visit the website of the Viano Quartet. Photos of the Viano Quartet by Kevin W. Condon.