Los Angeles’ the Calder Quartet has received glowing reviews for its performances of works by respected modern composers. In particular, the Calder Quartet focuses on the repertoire of Thomas Adès (U.K.), Christopher Rouse (U.S.), and Terry Riley (U.S.).

The Calder Quartet enjoys a long-standing relationship with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Christopher Rouse. The Calder Quartet has recorded both of his string quartets, as well as his piece Compline, written for flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet. Furthermore, Christopher Rouse wrote his first string quartet piece in over 20 years for the Calder Quartet, a joint commission by the New Haven Festival of Arts and Ideas, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Carnegie Hall in New York, and the La Jolla Music Society.

Terry Riley, one of the founders of the American minimalist movement, has worked regularly with the Calder Quartet since meeting the group at the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Minimalist Jukebox Festival in 2006.

Eight emerging composers under 35 have received commissions from the Calder Quartet, which sponsors a composers’ competition through the Carlsbad Music Festival in Carlsbad, California. Established in 2004, the Carlsbad Music Festival was co-founded by the Calder Quartet and violinist Matt McBane. The Carlsbad Music Festival now includes Calder Quartet concerts in San Diego and Los Angeles, as well as in Carlsbad.

In addition to modern repertoire, the Calder Quartet performs many standard string quartet pieces, including Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven string quartets as well as the works of Maurice Ravel and Béla Bartók. The Calder Quartet has also performed with indie musicians, and the quartet toured with singer-songwriter Andrew W.K. in 2009.

The Calder Quartet consists of Benjamin Jacobson, Andrew Bulbrook, Jonathan Moerschel, and Eric Byers. Comprising members who are alumni of prestigious American music schools including Juilliard School and the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, the Calder Quartet has toured across the United States and played in prominent venues including Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Le Poisson Rouge in New York.