The World of the String Quartet
DEBUSSY: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
CAROVANI: New Commission
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1, Razumovsky
Eleonora Matsuno, violin
Ida Di Vita, violin
Amiang Santi, viola
Cosimo Carovani, cello
The Quartetto Indaco was created as the fullest expression of four individual paths coming together.
These paths have roots stretching far back into the personal histories and passions of each of its members. A love of research, the diversity of musical genres and the many voices of the present, past and future are the driving forces that the ensemble brings to every stage with sincerity, freshness and dedication. Its members see the quartet as both an artistic and social laboratory, a circle that embraces all those who have accompanied them on their journey.
On May 18, 2023, after four rounds involving ten quartets from around the world, Quartetto Indaco won the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan. One of the most important competitions on the international scene and one of the few string quartet competitions recognised by the World Federation of International Music Competitions, it awarded the Italian ensemble First Prize as well as two special prizes.
The victory was historic. It marked the first time an Italian quartet had won First Prize at one of the major international string quartet competitions, reflecting both the exceptionally high level reached by Italian musicians and the distinctive creativity and freedom of Quartetto Indaco. The ensemble impressed the international jury chaired by renowned Japanese cellist T. Tsutsumi.
Each member has a wide-ranging musical background, encompassing teaching, early music and leadership roles in orchestras.
Another distinctive feature of the quartet is its composer in residence, the ensemble’s own cellist, who actively writes for the group, creating tailor-made works as well as original music and arrangements for the many projects developed by the quartet.
Among these is Moto Contrario, a project focusing on mental health and supported by the European MERITA platform, in collaboration with visual artist Letizia Castellano. The project develops a narrative journey connecting the story of Robert Schumann with that of Anglo-Korean violinist Sarah Kim-Cross, who, in her own words, has sought to bring attention to her painful experience of illness and all its implications.
One of the quartet’s major missions, alongside teaching at leading public institutions, is to recreate and rediscover the distinctive experience of chamber music by bringing music into unusual settings, including prisons, and working with schools and businesses. In these contexts, the quartet becomes a metaphor for listening, growth, acceptance and open sharing.
The ensemble is also the promoter of the Qu.B.E. format, Quartet Based Ensemble, together with the Milano Classica orchestra, where it has been Quartet in Residence since 2017. The project combines an in-depth knowledge of chamber orchestra playing with the quartet tradition, developing adaptations and new approaches to the string orchestra repertoire.
Combining powerful communication with a distinctive vision of the repertoire, Quartetto Indaco has collaborated with prominent artists including Alexander Lonquich, Alessandro Taverna, Giovanni Bietti, David Krakauer, Mao Fujita, Avi Avital, Julian Bliss, Uri Caine and Claudia Barainsky.
Born within the great Italian quartet tradition of the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole under the inspiration of Piero Farulli, the ensemble pursued its academic training with mentor Oliver Wille of the Kuss Quartet. It also studied with leading figures of the string quartet tradition including Günter Pichler, first violin of the Alban Berg Quartet, Reiner Schmidt of the Hagen Quartet and the renowned German quartet mentor Eberhard Feltz.
Quartetto Indaco is a Pirastro Artist.
In 2025, the ensemble made its debuts at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and Wigmore Hall in London.
Eleonora Matsuno plays an 1869 J. B. Vuillaume violin formerly owned by Paolo Borciani, legendary first violin of the Quartetto Italiano, on private loan.
Ida Di Vita plays an anonymous violin dating from 1832.
Amiang Santi plays a viola made for him in 2019 by Polish luthier Adam Stalmach.
Cosimo Carovani plays a Charles Claudot cello dating from 1840, which he owns.
Photo © Lucia Ottolini
