Hailed as one of today's most exciting and dynamic young string quartets, the Corigliano Quartet has won the acclaim of audiences and critics across the USA. The New York Times called them "musicians who seem to say, 'Listen to this!'" and described them as having "an excellent, smooth sense of ensemble, but with each part vigorously alive." The Strad praised them for their "abundant commitment and mastery," while the Baltimore Sun said that in the Corigliano Quartet's hands, "Beethoven's intense originality sounded more potent than ever," and enjoyed the quartet's "profound beauty" and "riveting power."

The Corigliano Quartet is dedicated to the presentation of new American music. The group was founded in 1996 with the blessing of Pulitzer, Grammy and Oscar-winner John Corigliano. "They are truly one of the great quartets of the new generation," said the composer. "Their fiery intensity, musical sensitivity, and bold programming make for an absolutely stunning concert experience." The group's dedication and passion for new works has made them one of the most sought after interpreters of contemporary music today. For their efforts in bringing new music to a wider audience, the quartet was recently presented with the ASCAP/CMA Award For Adventurous Programming.

Comprised of violinists Michael Jinsoo Lim and Lina Bahn (who alternate at first violin), violist Melia Watras, and cellist Amy Sue Barston, the Corigliano Quartet rapidly climbed the ranks of the chamber music world. One year after its formation, the group drew the attention of Isaac Stern, who invited them to the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Workshop at Carnegie Hall. The following season, the Corigliano won the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition and both First Prize and the Grand Prize at the 1999 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
The group has performed in many of the nation's leading music centers, including Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Corcoran Gallery. Recent performances have taken the Corigliano to Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. They have also made appearances in Italy, Mexico, and Korea, where they gave the Korean premiere of Corigliano's Farewell Quartet. They have been heard in numerous radio broadcasts, including NPR's All Things Considered, and WFMT-Chicago's Live From Studio One. The group's festival appearances include performances at Ravinia, the Aspen Music Festival, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, Festival de Música de Cámara de San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Strings in the Mountains, and Marrowstone Summer Music. The Corigliano Quartet has held residencies at the Juilliard School, where they served as the teaching assistants to the Juilliard String Quartet; Indiana University, where they served on the faculty as Visiting Lecturers; Dickinson College, and the New York Youth Orchestra Chamber Music Program.

The Corigliano Quartet’s 2007 CD release on Naxos, featuring the complete string quartet works of John Corigliano as well as a work by former Corigliano student Jefferson Friedman, has been hailed from coast to coast. The New York Times praised the quartet for their “knockout performances,” while the San Francisco Chronicle praised the ensemble for its “fervor and imagination.” The Corigliano has recorded for CRI, Albany, Aguava New Music and Bayer Records.

Under the mentorship of Atar Arad, the group formed while its members were students at Indiana.

August 2007