Described by The Irish Times as “a quartet with a difference,” the Dublin Guitar Quartet stands as a pioneering force in the realm of classical guitar music. They are not merely performers; they are musical gardeners, nurturing and cultivating a vibrant ecosystem of sound, primarily dedicated to the growth of new music for the guitar. Like a meticulously planned garden, the Dublin Guitar Quartet cultivates a repertoire that blossoms with innovation and originality.
Since their inception at the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama, the quartet has taken root and flourished, dedicating themselves to expanding the somewhat limited landscape of guitar quartet repertoire. They act as musical horticulturalists, carefully commissioning new works and skillfully adapting modern masterpieces, ensuring the guitar “garden” is rich and diverse. This includes a fascinating exploration into the electric side of the guitar quartet, adding a thrilling, contemporary section to their sonic garden. In their performances, they present carefully curated selections, often featuring works by groundbreaking composers such as Bryce Dessner and Philip Glass, all brought to life on the unique timbres of eight- and 11-string guitars. These instruments themselves could be considered rare and beautiful plants within their Guitar Gardens, offering unique sonic colours.
The Dublin Guitar Quartet’s dedication to nurturing new music has garnered the attention of some of the world’s most esteemed composers, much like rare blooms attract connoisseurs. Their recent activities include a significant release on Philip Glass’s own Orange Mountain Music label, a testament to their authority in interpreting his works. Furthermore, they undertook a substantial 55-minute commission by Michael Gordon, further enriching their “guitar gardens” with substantial new growth. In 2015, they shared the stage with Grammy Award-winners the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Conspirare, and the Texas Guitar Quartet in a premiere of Nico Muhly’s How Little You Are in Austin, Texas, a collaborative planting in the garden of contemporary music. Their inclusion on a recording of Arvo Pärt’s Summa, released by the composer’s own publisher Universal Edition, further cements their position as cultivators of significant contemporary works.
In 2010, the quartet participated in a particularly special performance, tending to the delicate and profound work Repentance for cello, guitars, and double bass by celebrated Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. The composer herself was present as they joined Russian cellist Ivan Monighetti in a concert within the resonant acoustics of St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda. This performance, like carefully tending to a rare species, highlighted their commitment to challenging and meaningful works. The quartet’s recording of this powerful piece was released on the LCMS label in 2012, preserving a precious bloom from their musical garden. Earlier, in 2008, they were honored to share their “guitar gardens” stage with the legendary American composer Philip Glass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dundalk, a landmark moment in their journey. The quartet’s 2010 performances of their transcriptions of the entire set of Philip Glass quartets were met with considerable acclaim, demonstrating their deep understanding and cultivation of Glass’s compositional language.
Performance highlights for the Dublin Guitar Quartet extend across continents, showcasing the global reach of their cultivated sound. These include a four-city tour of Colombia and two extensive tours of North America in 2013 and 2014. They have graced the stage of the prestigious chamber music venue Wigmore Hall in London, a renowned garden for musical performance, as well as numerous leading venues across the US. These US venues include The Phillips Collection, the Celebrity Series of Boston, Subculture, Symphony Space, and the Lincoln Center in New York, each a fertile ground for their musical offerings.
Expanding their innovative approach to their “guitar gardens,” the quartet is actively developing the electric side of the guitar quartet repertoire. They are cultivating electrifying works such as Nagoya Guitars and Electric Counterpoint by Steve Reich, and have commissioned Amplified by Michael Gordon, specifically for electric guitar quartet. This groundbreaking piece premiered at the David Lang/Bang on a Can-curated festival of new music at the National Concert Hall, Dublin in February 2015, planting a seed for future electric guitar quartet compositions in the wider musical landscape.
Dublin Guitar Quartet’s international touring, enabling them to share their unique “guitar gardens” with audiences worldwide, is generously supported by Culture Ireland, allowing their musical seeds to be sown and flourish globally.
