Spektral Quartet Nfp

Nominated for three GRAMMY awards in three separate genres, the Spektral Quartet eluded easy categorization with its stylistic fluency, imaginative presentations, and collaborative zeal. Performing from 2010 to 2022, the ensemble brought technical rigor into orbit with disarming humor while fashioning a convincing triangle between the historic, the esoteric, and everyday life. On stage, in person, and on record, Spektral prioritized meaningful connection by, as the Boston Globe once put it, being “serious about the music, not about themselves.” Transparent and spirited interactions with listeners during concerts, a willingness to unmask their process on and off the stage, and thematically inquisitive programming converged to create musical experiences for which curiosity was the only prerequisite. As citizens of Chicago, they sought to serve the city’s divergent communities, advocate for local artists, and exemplify a prevailing DIY spirit, most notably by self-producing an annual season peppered throughout the area’s historic neighborhoods. Named “Chicagoans of the Year” by the Chicago Tribune in 2017, Spektral Quartet embodied creative versatility with productions advancing the belief that, for instance, hiking the Chicago lakeshore or learning to dance “The Hustle” can be persuasive tools in stripping pretense from classical spheres and turning skeptics into enthusiasts. With a tour schedule which included some of the country’s most notable concert venues such as the Kennedy Center, Miller Theater, Library of Congress, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, the ensemble gained international recognition as both performers and thought-leaders. Looking back, the four departing members agree that the experiment known as “Spektral Quartet” could only have been realized through the unusual capabilities and flair of this particular foursome, their supporters, and their fans.