Distinguished by its youth, open-mindedness, and versatility, France's Ebène Quartet has had a meteoric rise to the top. Now among the world's most sought-after quartets, the group made its U.S. debut tour to widespread, dazzling critical acclaim. The Quartet won "Recording of the Year" at the 2009 Classic FM Gramophone Awards (only the fourth time that a chamber ensemble has won this prestigious prize), as well as being named BBC Music Magazine's 2009 Newcomer of the Year. According to the Daily Telegraph violinists Pierre Colombet and Gabriel Le Magadure, violist Mathieu Herzog, and cellist Raphaël Merlin combine "refinement of shading and nuance with a sense of controlled danger." The Times of London asserts that these young musicians play "with a rare degree of expressive subtlety, blended sonorities and electrifying joy."
