Jupiter String Quartet

{{Short description|American string quartet}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Jupiter String Quartet | image = Jupiter Quartet by Todd Rosenberg.jpg | background = | origin = United States | genre = Classical | years_active = 2001–present | label = | website = {{URL|https://www.jupiterquartet.com/}} | current_members = {{ubl|Mélanie Clapiès (violin)|Meg Freivogel (violin)|Liz Freivogel (viola)|Daniel McDonough (cello)}} | past_members = {{ubl| Nelson Lee (violin)}} }}

The '''Jupiter String Quartet''' (sometimes referred to as the ''Jupiter Quartet'') is an American classical music ensemble founded in 2001. It is a string quartet consisting of Mélanie Clapiès (violin); sisters Meg Freivogel (violin) and Liz Freivogel (viola); and Daniel McDonough (cello), who is Meg Freivogel's husband.

They perform worldwide and direct the chamber music program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where they have been quartet-in-residence since 2012.<ref name="wy">{{citation |url=https://wydaily.com/latest-news/2024/01/22/the-jupiter-quartet-to-be-presented-in-performance-with-pianist-soyeon-kate-lee-in-williamsburg2/ | title= The Jupiter Quartet to Perform with Pianist Soyeon Kate Lee in Williamsburg | publisher=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily | date=22 January 2024 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> They have premiered many works by contemporary composers, and released more than a dozen albums, including live recordings and recordings with collaborators such as Jeremy Denk.

==Founding and early recognition==

The members of the quartet studied with members of the Cleveland Quartet and at the Aspen Music Festival and School.<ref name="aspen">{{citation |url=https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2015/07/31/on-stage-at-aspen-the-jupiter-string-quartet-and-alisa-weilerstein | title= On stage at Aspen: The Jupiter String Quartet and Alisa Weilerstein | publisher=Your Classical |date=31 July 2015 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> They formed the Jupiter String Quartet in 2001,<ref name="npr08">{{citation |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/02/07/18767338/the-jupiter-string-quartet-orbiting-perfection | title= The Jupiter String Quartet: Orbiting Perfection | publisher=NPR | author=Richard Knisely | date=7 February 2008 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2010/03/15/classical-music-review-jupiter-string-quartet-delivers-a-polished-program-of-haydn-golijov-and-brahms/ | title= Classical music review: Jupiter String Quartet delivers a polished program of Haydn, Golijov and Brahms | publisher=The Dallas Morning News | date=15 March 2010 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> in Cleveland.<ref name="npr04">{{citation |url=https://www.npr.org/2004/08/05/3817169/npr-at-aspen-the-jupiter-quartet | title= NPR at Aspen: The Jupiter Quartet | publisher=NPR | author=Fred Child | date=5 August 2004 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> adopting their name<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/jupiter-string-quartet-delivers-on-its-name-with-an-out-of-this-world-performance/2017/03/27/afe36746-1309-11e7-833c-503e1f6394c9_story.html | title= Jupiter String Quartet delivers on its name with an out-of-this-world performance | newspaper=The Washington Post | author=Stephen Brookes | date=27 March 2017 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> because the planet Jupiter was the most prominent planet in the night sky at the time of their formation, and because Jupiter's astrological symbol is similar to the number four.

Having spent formative summers of 2003 and 2004 on fellowships at the Aspen Music Festival's Center for Advanced Quartet Studies, in years since they have returned to Aspen to teach newer classes of fellows.<ref name="aspentimes">{{citation |url=https://www.aspentimes.com/entertainment/jupiter-string-quartet-to-open-aspen-music-festival-season/ | title= Jupiter String Quartet to open Aspen Music Festival season | publisher=Aspen Times | author=Andrew Travers | date=27 June 2018 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> During the 2000s they were based at the New England Conservatory in Boston.<ref name="npr08" />

In 2004 they won the grand prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.banffcentre.ca/bisqc/history | title= BISQC History | publisher=Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.thestrad.com/news/young-string-quartets-head-to-banff-for-international-competition/9362.article | title= Young string quartets head to Banff for international competition | publisher=The Strad | date=23 August 2019 | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> and the grand prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition,<ref name="npr04" /> and in 2005 won the Young Concert Artists International auditions.<ref>{{citation |url=https://yca.org/artist/2005-jupiter-string-quartet/ | title= JUPITER STRING QUARTET, '05 | publisher=Young Concert Artists | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> In 2007 they won Chamber Music America's Cleveland Quartet Award, and in 2008 received an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

In 2010 ''The New Yorker'' wrote that they were "a new group that plays with both technical finesse and rare expressive maturity."<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/classical-music/south-mountain-concerts-jupiter-string-quartet | title= South Mountain Concerts (Jupiter String Quartet) | magazine=The New Yorker | accessdate=14 February 2024}}</ref>

==Residencies, touring, recording==

From 2007 to 2010 the Jupiter String Quartet held a residency at the Chamber Music Two series of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic | id= jupiter-string-quartet-mn0002261829 | title= Jupiter String Quartet}}</ref> Since 2012 they have held a residency at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.<ref name="wy" />

The quartet has performed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia at venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, Wigmore Hall, Boston's Jordan Hall, the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Esterhazy Palace, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia presented by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.broadstreetreview.com/articles/jupiter-and-jasper-quartets-at-the-perelman | title= Jupiter and Jasper quartets at the Perelman | publisher=Broad Street Review | author= Tom Purdom|date=20 January 2014 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> Maverick Concerts in Woodstock multiple times,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2018/07/27/jupiter-string-quartet-pianist-daniel-gortler-in-concert-at-maverick-concert-hall-in-woodstock-on-aug-5/ | title= Jupiter String Quartet, Pianist Daniel Gortler in Concert at Maverick Concert Hall in Woodstock on Aug. 5 |publisher= Daily Freeman |date=27 July 2018 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.classical-scene.com/2014/08/26/jupiter-yakushev-maverick/ | title= Another Maverick Marathon | publisher=The Boston Musical Intelligencer | author= Leslie Gerber |date=26 August 2014 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> and the Seoul Arts Center.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/02/732_96842.html | title= Inaugural festival at IBK Chamber Hall | publisher=The Korea Times | author= Do Je-hae|date=17 October 2011 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> They have appeared at music festivals including the Banff Centre,<ref>{{citation |url=https://classicalvoiceamerica.org/2017/09/07/a-string-quartet-competition-spawns-a-festival/ | title= A String Quartet Competition Spawns A Festival | publisher=Classical Voice America |author= Bill Rankin |date=7 September 2017 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> the Seoul Spring Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School,<ref name="aspen" /> the Rockport Music Festival multiple times<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.classical-scene.com/2011/06/20/jupiter-quartet-rcmf/ | title= Jupiter's Genius Pairing of Beethoven, Bartók | publisher=The Boston Musical Intelligencer | author= Sudeep Agarwala |date=20 June 2011 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> beginning in 2009,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.classical-scene.com/2009/06/28/solid-performance-from-jupiter-string-quartet-at-rockport-chamber-music-festival/ | title= Solid Performance from Jupiter String Quartet at Rockport Chamber Music Festival | publisher=The Boston Musical Intelligencer | author= Elizabeth Perten |date=28 June 2009 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> multiple times at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/Cape-Cod-Chamber-Music-Festival-Presents-JUPITER-AND-ONE-JON-Concerts-20190702 | title= Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Presents JUPITER AND ONE JON Concerts | publisher=Broadway World | author= Sarah Hookey |date=2 July 2019 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> beginning in 2005,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2005/03/12/reaching-for-stars/50911287007/ | title= Reaching for the stars | publisher=Cape Cod Times | author= Anna Crebo|date=12 March 2005 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> Bowdoin International Music Festival, Music@Menlo, Caramoor International Music Festival, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Yellow Barn Festival, Encore Chamber Music Festival, and Chamber Music Athens.<ref>{{citation |url=https://music.illinois.edu/people/profiles/jupiter-string-quartet/ | title= Jupiter String Quartet | publisher=University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref>

Their recordings, many of them on Marquis Records,<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.marquisclassics.com/cat-Jupiter_String_Quartet-68.aspx | title= Jupiter String Quartet | publisher=Marquis Classics | accessdate=14 February 2024}}</ref> include music by classical, modern, and contemporary composers, including Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Shostakovich, Ravel, Chausson, Gunther Schuller, Benjamin Britten, Osvaldo Golijov, Dan Visconti,<ref name="artsfuse">{{cite web |url=https://artsfuse.org/221357/classical-album-review-jasper-jupiter-quartets-play-mendelssohn-visconti-and-golijov/ | access-date=2026-05-01 | title=Classical Album Review: Jasper & Jupiter Quartets play Mendelssohn, Visconti, and Golijov | website=artsfuse.org | first=Jonathan | last=Blumhofer | date=January 31, 2021}} </ref> Su Lian Tan, and Stephen Andrew Taylor. Their three live "Music@Menlo" recordings in the "Maps and Legends" series include music by Poulenc, Turina, Debussy, Dvořák, Gershwin, Milhaud, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Harry Burleigh, William Bolcom, and others.<ref name="allmusic" />

==2009–2018: Premieres==

In 2009 the Jupiter String Quartet premiered <em>Ramshackle Songs</em>, a piece by composer Dan Visconti commissioned by the Fromm Foundation.<ref>{{citation |url= https://frommfoundation.fas.harvard.edu/people/daniel-visconti | title= Daniel Visconti | publisher=Fromm Music Foundation | accessdate=21 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2013 they premiered ''Total Internal Reflection'' by Hannah Lash at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.eamdc.com/news/Hannah-Lashs-Total-Internal-Reflection-Debuts-at-Great-Lakes-Chamber-Music-Festival/ | title= Hannah Lash's Total Internal Reflection Debuts at Great Lakes and Aspen Music Festivals | publisher=Schott Music Group |date=3 June 2013 | accessdate=21 February 2024}}</ref> and gave, with Thomas Hampson, the Boston premiere of <em>Aristotle</em> by Mark Adamo, which had been commissioned for the Jupiter and Hampson.<ref>{{citation |url= https://bostonclassicalreview.com/2013/04/hampson-jupiter-quartet-eloquent-in-adamo-premiere-wolf-songs/ | title= Hampson, Jupiter Quartet eloquent in Adamo premiere, Wolf songs | publisher=Boston Classical Review |author= David Wright |date=27 April 2013 | accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2015 they premiered the ''String Quartet No. 7'' of Canadian-American composer Sydney Hodkinson.<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.classical-scene.com/2018/08/05/unbalanced-jupiter/ | title= Jupiter Quartet and Pianist Generally Satisfy | publisher=Boston Musical Intelligencer |author= Leslie Gerber |date=5 August 2018 | accessdate=21 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2018 they gave the world premiere of "Imprimatur" by Kati Agócs at the Aspen Music Festival and School.<ref name="aspentimes" /> Their 2019 album ''Alchemy'' featured world premiere recordings of three pieces: Pierre Jalbert’s Piano Quintet; Steven Stuckey’s Piano Quartet; and the Fantasia for Piano Quintet by Carl Vine.<ref>{{citation |url= https://stringsmagazine.com/jupiter-string-quartet-releases-new-album-with-world-premieres/ | title= Jupiter String Quartet Releases New Album with World Premieres | publisher=Strings Magazine |author= Laurence Vittes |date=3 July 2019 | accessdate=10 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806140757/https://stringsmagazine.com/jupiter-string-quartet-releases-new-album-with-world-premieres/ |archive-date=2019-08-06 |url-status=deviated}} </ref>

==2019–present: More premieres, touring==

In 2019 the Jupiter collaborated with pianist Bernadette Harvey on the album ''Alchemy'', which included four commissions of Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, three of which were world premiere recordings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20195/27778/ |accessdate=2026-05-04 | title=For the Record, Op. 86: Hilary Hahn's García Abril 6 Partitas; Soloists of the NY Phil; Jupiter Quartet | website=violinist.com| first=Laurie | last=Niles| date=May 23, 2019}}</ref> In 2020 the quartet marked Beethoven's 250th-anniversary year with a series of Beethoven concerts and released an album, ''Metamorphosis'', that paired Beethoven's Op. 131 with the String Quartet No. 1 of Ligeti.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20206/28323/ |accessdate=2026-05-08 | title=For the Record, Op. 122: Lisa Batiashvili; Goat Rodeo returns; Arabella Steinbacher; Jupiter String Quartet | website=violinist.com | first=Laurie | last=Niles |date=June 19, 2020}} </ref>

In July 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic they livestreamed the world premiere of ''To Unpathed Waters, Undreamed Shores'' by Michi Wiancko, a piece that had been commissioned for them,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.1718.ucla.edu/events/jupiter-quartet-20/ | accessdate=2026-05-02 | title=Chamber Music Conversations from the Clark: Jupiter String Quartet | publisher=UCLA Center for 17th- & 18th-Century Studies | date=May 16, 2021}} </ref> and the following year they premiered ''Chaconne/Labyrinth'' by Stephen Andrew Taylor, a piece meant to convey the experience of the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/50634100 | accessdate=2026-05-02 | title=Illinois composer's new work, performed by the Jupiter String Quartet, depicts pandemic experience | first=Jodi | last=Heckel | publisher=Illinois News Bureau | date=April 1, 2021 }} </ref>

Their 2021 collaborative album with the Jasper String Quartet included the world premiere recording of <em>Eternal Breath</em> by Dan Visconti, a piece eliciting breath "that is passed from one generation to another" –– and written for the 40th wedding anniversary of Meg, Liz and J Freivogel's parents.<ref name="sfcv">{{cite news | url=https://www.sfcv.org/articles/review/quartets-doubled-jupiter-and-jasper-unite | access-date=2026-05-01 | title=Quartets Doubled: The Jupiter And Jasper Unite | first=Richard S. | last=Ginell | website=sfcv.org | publisher=San Francisco Classical Voice | date=March 22, 2021}} </ref> ''The Arts Fuse'' called the album "striking for its backstory but really memorable for its smart program and fine execution."<ref name="artsfuse" />

On October 3, 2023 the Jupiter premiered ''Medusa'', which Nathan Shields had written for them during a Guggenheim Fellowship.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.smilepolitely.com/music/strings-and-strife-jupiter-quartet-tackles-socio-political-themes-in-stunning-fall-concert/ | title= Strings and strife: Jupiter Quartet tackles socio-political themes in stunning fall concert | publisher=Smile Politely | first= Kathleen | last=McGowan | date=October 6, 2023 | accessdate=2024-02-21}} </ref> The same month, with marimba player William Moersch, they premiered ''Rock Galaxy'' by Zack Browning.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://zackbrowning.github.io/news/rockgalaxy-news.html | title= William Moersch and Jupiter String Quartet premiere Rock Galaxy on October 29, 2023 at the University of Illinois | first=Zack | last=Browning | website=zackbrowning.github.io | date= August 2, 2023 |accessdate=2026-04-27}} </ref>

In 2025, they announced that Nelson Lee was leaving the Jupiter to take a position in Montreal. Violinist Mélanie Clapiès took his place in the quartet.<ref name="2025-03-29-theStrad">{{cite news |title=Jupiter Quartet appoints a new violinist |url=https://www.thestrad.com/news/jupiter-quartet-appoints-a-new-violinist/20122.article |access-date=2026-03-29 |publisher=The Strad |date=August 26, 2025}} </ref> Their first concert with the new lineup took place on March 12, 2026 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.<ref>{{cite news |title= Dr. Mélanie Clapiès joins Jupiter String Quartet |first= Kathleen | last=McGowan |url=https://www.smilepolitely.com/music/dr-melanie-clapies-joins-jupiter-string-quartet/ |access-date=2026-04-03 |publisher=Smile Politely |date=March 10, 2026}} </ref>

In addition to their extensive touring schedule, the Jupiter continues to perform at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/music/john-frayne-jupiter-string-quartets-violent-upheaval-hits-close-to-home/article_9b6205c3-efdb-5188-b548-cd8d3c4ff744.html | title= Jupiter String Quartet's violent 'Upheaval' hits close to home | publisher=The News-Gazette | first=John | last=Frayne | date=October 30, 2023 | accessdate=2026-04-26}} </ref> at the University of Illinois where they are quartet-in-residence, and at the Cleveland Chamber Music Society<ref>{{cite interview | url=https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2022-11-11/cleveland-chamber-music-society-presents-jupiter-quartet-nov-15 | title=Cleveland Chamber Music Society Presents Jupiter Quartet Nov. 15 | publisher=Ideastream Public Media | interviewer-first=Jacqueline | interviewer-last=Gerber | date=November 11, 2022 | accessdate=2026-04-27 | first=Nelson |last=Lee}} </ref> in the city of their founding.

==Awards and honors==

* 2004: Grand prize, Banff International String Quartet Competition * 2004: Grand prize, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition * 2005: Winner, Young Concert Artists International auditions * 2007: Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America * 2008: Avery Fisher Career Grant * 2009: Fromm Foundation grant to commission a quartet from composer Dan Visconti<ref>{{cite web |url= https://music.wustl.edu/events/great-artists-series-19-20-jupiter-string-quartet | title= Great Artists Series 19–20: Jupiter String Quartet | website= WUstl.edu |date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219084037/https://music.wustl.edu/events/great-artists-series-19-20-jupiter-string-quartet |archive-date=2024-02-19 |url-status=deviated}} </ref>

==Discography==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Album ! scope="col" | Release Date ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | Collaborator(s) |- ! scope="row"| ''Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20; Dan Visconti: Eternal Breath; Osvaldo Golijov: Last Round'' | 5 February 2021 | Marquis Records | Jasper String Quartet |- ! scope="row"| ''Metamorphosis'' | 12 June 2020 | Marquis Records | |- ! scope="row"| ''Alchemy'' | 10 May 2019 | Marquis Records | Bernadette Harvey |- ! scope="row"| ''Revelations'' | 16 June 2017 | Arsis Audio | Bruce Brubaker |- ! scope="row"| ''Windows in Time (Chamber Music for Horn and Strings)'' | 1 May 2017 | Opening Day Entertainment | Bernhard Scully, Rebecca Gitter |- ! scope="row"| ''Rootsongs'' | 30 September 2016 | Azica | Ollie Watts Davis |- ! scope="row"| ''Ravel: Intimate Masterpieces'' | 29 October 2013 | Oberlin Music | Ellie Dehn, Richard Hawkins, Yolanda Kondonassis, Spencer Myer, Alexa Still |- ! scope="row"| ''Music@Menlo Live: – Maps & Legends'' Discs V, VI, VII | 14 December 2010 | Music@Menlo | Various |- ! scope="row"| ''Mendelssohn: Quartet, Op. Post. 80; Beethoven: String Quartet, Op. 135'' | 15 September 2009 | Marquis Music | |- ! scope="row"| ''Chausson: Concert in D major; Fauré: Violin Sonata No. 1'' (EP) | 8 July 2008 | | Soovin Kim, Jeremy Denk |- ! scope="row"| ''Shostakovich: Quartet No. 3; Britten: Quartet No. 2'' | 8 November 2007 | Marquis Music | |- |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jupiter String Quartet}} Category:American string quartets Category:American classical music groups Category:Musical groups established in 2001