Kronos Quartet

For 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet—David Harrington (violin), Gabriela Díaz (violin), Ayane Kozasa (viola), and Paul Wiancko (cello)—has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be. Founded at a time when the form was largely centered on long-established, Western European traditions, Kronos has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the string quartet into a living art form that responds to the people and issues of our time.

REPERTORY

2025/2026 SEASON

Kronos Meets Hardanger

Kronos as a quintet of guest artist, Benediucte Maurseth in a celebration of the sonic world of the traditional Hardanger fiddle. Composed by Maurseth and sound artist Kristine Tjogersoen will feature Kronos performing on four newly-made Hardanger fiddles.

Glorious Mahalia!

Kronos Quartet pays homage to the beloved voice of Mahalia Jackson and her vital friendships with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and oral historian/activist Studs Terkel. Jackson was a woman of deep faith, whose key role in historic moments in the fight for civil rights lays the groundwork for two major works on this program – Zachary J. Watkins’s “Peace Be Till”, and Stacy Garrop’s “Glorious Mahalia”. Additional works will explore other, activist voices of 20th- century America.

Kronos/Nonesuch – 40 Years!

Kronos celebrates the 40^th Anniversary of recording with Nonesuch records in 2025. The concert will feature works memorialized in Pieces of Africa, Different Trains, Nuevo, Ghost Opera, Sun Rings and more.

Terry Riley at 90

Kronos presents selections from the nearly 30 pieces that Riley has written for Kronos since 1980 on the occasion of Riley’s 90th birthday (2025).

Kronos Five Decades Commissions

Kronos presents selections from the nearly 30 pieces that Riley has written for Kronos since 1980 on the occasion of Riley’s 90th birthday (2025.On the occasion of Kronos’ 50th anniversary (23/24) season, 10 new commissions were prepared. Kronos presents all ten in this program.

Sounds of Resilience: Women Divers and the Climate Crisis.

Performed by Kronos and haegeum virtuoso Soo Yeon Lyuh explores the sounds of a culture threatened by climate change and it’s environmental impact. A cultural sketch of the tradition and lives of the Korean women divers of Jeju Island.

Michael Abels (credit Eric Schwabel), Nikky Finney (credit Forrest Clonts), and Valérie Sainte-Agathe (credit Joe Fanvu)

At War with Ourselves – 400 Years of You

An evening-length work for string quartet, narrator and chorus exploring race relations, social justice, civil rights, and resistance movements in 21^st-century America. At War With Ourselves features text by National Book Award-winning poet, Nikky Finney and music by Michael Abels.

Kronos Fifty for the Future Residency

Kronos’ groundbreaking education and legacy initiative provides a free library of contemporary of contemporary string quartet repertoire for current and future generations. The residency can be incorporated into touring engagements to add mentoring and coaching by Kronos for emerging generations of quartets.

Creation, Performance, Education, & Preservation

The Five Decades Project rests squarly on these four pillars …

GALLERY

All
CREATION
PERFORMANCE
EDUCATION
PRESERVATION

LISTEN

“Can the musicians of Kronos heal the rifts in the world or turn the hearts of xenophobes with concerts such as this? Probably not, but how rewarding it is to listen to them try.” – San Francisco Classical Voice

Kronos Quartet is building on its celebrated legacy of string-quartet innovation by doing what it does best: continuing to chart a bold musical path and inspire generations of fellow musicians.

PRESS

EXPLORE

Zachary Watkins: Peace Be Till (excerpt)

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Fifty for the Future - The Kronos Learning Repertoire

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