George Tsontakis - Piano Quartet #4 (Ames Piano Quartet)

Information

Composer: George Tsontakis

1. Piano Quartet #4: I. Hypnotic, Dreamy
2. Piano Quartet #4: II. Swaying

Ames Piano Quartet

    Mei-Hsuan Huang, 

    Borivoj Martinic-Jercic, 

    Samantha Rodriguez, 

    George Work, 

Date: 2026

Label: Navona

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Renowned composer George Tsontakis showcases his finely crafted, widely acclaimed style in Tsontakis Piano Quartet #4, performed by the Ames Piano Quartet. Marking a rare achievement in the piano quartet genre with a fourth entry, the composition highlights Tsontakis's signature large-scale harmonic prolongations. Across each movement, repeated musical patterns continually evolve and expand, driving a seamless continuum of motion and rhythm. The performance captures the depth of Tsontakis's compositional technique, offering a compelling addition to contemporary chamber music.

Celebrated by major publications as a master of contemporary classical music, composer George Tsontakis boasts an illustrious career highlighted by the prestigious Grawemeyer Award and two Grammy nominations. A student of Roger Sessions and Franco Donatoni, Tsontakis has received over a dozen major orchestral commissions, with his extensive catalog featured on prominent labels such as Hyperion and Naxos. His distinguished career includes a 40-year tenure as Composer-in-Residence with the Aspen Music Festival and positions with organizations like the Albany Symphony and Bard College Conservatory. Deeply rooted in his Cretan heritage, Tsontakis continues to achieve global acclaim through major international premieres and celebrated recordings.

Established in 1976 as the ensemble-in-residence at Iowa State University, the Ames Piano Quartet is one of the few regularly constituted piano quartets performing internationally. Having briefly adapted its name to the Amara Quartet before returning to its original moniker, the ensemble boasts an extensive discography across premier classical labels and a global touring footprint, notably becoming the first U.S. chamber ensemble invited to perform in Cuba post-1959. Renowned for unified, expressive interpretations and exceptional technical skill, the Quartet actively expands its repertoire by championing neglected historical works alongside new commissions from leading contemporary composers.

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