About us
Quartett HANA has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young string quartets of its generation, distinguished by its vivid ensemble communication, stylistic versatility, and energetic stage presence. The ensemble has been praised for its “communicative spontaneity and infectious joy of playing” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), qualities that lie at the core of its artistic identity.
Founded in 2019 at the University of Music and Theatre Munich, Quartett HANA is based in Munich and unites four musicians from South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands and Taiwan. The ensemble’s name reflects this international identity: HANA means “flower” in Japanese and “unity” in Korean. Together, these meanings define the core values of the quartet: growth and cohesion through constant musical dialogue.
Critics have repeatedly highlighted the quartet’s exceptional ensemble communication. Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung noted that “the young musicians were in constant communication, continually initiating new conversations with changing dialogue partners (…). ” They also emphasised the quartet’s ability to combine freshness and with sheer virtuosity. The Strad noted the quartet’s alertness and flexibility, observing that the players each bring “a distinctive personality to the equation. ” They also highlighted the ensemble’s stylistic range, from Haydn and Mendelssohn to contemporary repertoire.
Since 2021, Quartett HANA has studied with the Quatuor Ébène at the University of Music and Theatre Munich. From 2025 onward, the ensemble continues its artistic development with Günter Pichler at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid, while also working closely with the Quatuor Modigliani as part of the Elite Programme at the École Normale de Musique in Paris. In addition, the quartet is regularly mentored by Heime Müller, Raphaël Merlin, Eberhard Feltz, and Dirk Mommertz. The ensemble has received further guidance through international masterclasses and academies, including MISQA in Montreal, TICC Academy in Trondheim, and ProQuartet in Paris, where they worked with artists such as Oliver Wille, William Coleman, Gerhard Schulz, Veronika Hagen, Hélène Clément and Mathieu Herzog.
The quartet has achieved notable success at major international competitions. In 2025, they reached the semi-finals of both the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London and the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition. In the same year, they were awarded the Christine and David Anderson Career Development Prize at the 15th Banff International String Quartet Competition. Earlier distinctions include Second Prize at the 2023 Geneva International Music Competition, Third Prize at the 2023 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition in Copenhagen, the special Förderpreis of Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland at the 2022 ARD International Music Competition, and Third Prize at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University Competition in Berlin.
Quartett HANA performs regularly at international festivals and concert series. Recent highlights include appearances at the Heidelberger Frühling Streichquartettfest, Mozartfest Würzburg, the Groba Festival in Spain, and Les Classiques du Prieuré in France. The quartet has performed in venues such as Wigmore Hall in London, Victoria Hall in Geneva, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Prinzregententheater Munich, the Beethoven-Haus Bonn, and the Jenny Belzberg Theatre in Banff. Collaborations with artists including Wen-Sinn Yang, Roland Glassl, Itamar Golan, Sarah McElravy, François Kieffer, Margarita Höhenrieder and Michael Endres further reflect the ensemble’s versatility.
From 2025 to 2027, Quartett HANA has been selected as Ensemble-in-Residence at ProQuartet in Paris, marking an important step in the ensemble’s international development. Supported by Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Munich and part of the Le Dimore del Quartetto network, Quartett HANA represents a new generation of string quartets, combining a strong artistic identity, an international background, and a highly communicative approach to chamber music.
1st Violin / Gyurim Kwak
2nd Violin / Fuga Miwatashi
Viola / Simon Rosier
Violoncello / Tzu-Shao Chao
