Today we’d like to introduce you to Miró Quartet
Hi Miró, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, praised as “furiously committed” by The New Yorker and recognized for its “exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. For nearly 30 years, the GRAMMY®-nominated quartet has performed on the world’s most prestigious concert stages, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. Based in Austin, TX, and thriving on the area’s storied music scene, the Miró takes pride in finding new ways to communicate with audiences of all backgrounds while cultivating the longstanding tradition of chamber music.
Miró Quartet’s recent and upcoming projects include a touring and recording project with pianist Lara Downes titled Here on Earth, featuring musical depictions of our planet, its evolution, and the lives of its inhabitants; the premiere of a new version of Kevin Puts’ Credo with the Naples Philharmonic; and collaborations with composers Steven Banks, Tamar-Kali, and Gabriel Kahane, as well as soprano Karen Slack.
Having independently released many celebrated recordings for a variety of global labels, the Miró Quartet was nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for its second album on Pentatone, Home, featuring two new commissions by Kevin Puts and Caroline Shaw, as well as works by George Walker and Samuel Barber. It was nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY® Award for Best Choral Performance for House of Belonging, created in collaboration with Austin-based choral group Conspirare. The quartet recently produced an Emmy Award-winning audiovisual multimedia project titled Transcendence, a documentary centered around a performance of Franz Schubert’s Quartet in G Major on rare Stradivarius instruments, available on livestream, CD, and Blu-ray.
Formed in 1995, the Miró Quartet was awarded first prize at several national and international competitions including the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Competition. Deeply committed to music education, members of the Quartet have given master classes at universities and conservatories throughout the world, and since 2003 has served as the quartet-in-residence at the University of Texas at Austin Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music. In 2005, the Quartet became the first ensemble ever to be awarded the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant.
The Miró Quartet took its name and its inspiration from the Spanish artist Joan Miró, whose Surrealist works — with subject matter drawn from the realm of memory, dreams, and imaginative fantasy — are some of the most groundbreaking, influential, and admired of the 20th century.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the greatest challenges for any long-standing quartet is learning how to balance the personal and professional aspects of our lives. A string quartet is an incredibly close-knit collaboration—we spend countless hours together, rehearsing, traveling, and performing—and that dynamic can only thrive if we create space for each other’s personal lives and well-being. Over the years, we’ve learned that making music at the highest level isn’t just about technical precision or artistic interpretation; it’s also about maintaining strong interpersonal relationships.
This means listening to one another, both musically and personally, and ensuring that each member feels heard, valued, and supported. We’ve worked hard to cultivate an environment where open communication is encouraged, and where we can address challenges before they become obstacles. Like any long-term partnership, it takes patience, empathy, and a willingness to adapt to each other’s needs.
As life inevitably brings changes—whether it’s family commitments, personal growth, or external pressures—we’ve had to navigate those transitions together. The key has been prioritizing happiness and fulfillment for each individual, recognizing that a quartet is strongest when all its members feel supported and inspired. In many ways, the longevity of our ensemble is a testament to this commitment, and it remains an ongoing, evolving process that enriches both our music and our lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Miró Quartet is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year (all 30 years in Austin). Fittingly named for the Spanish painter Joan Miró, the quartet is known for its creative collaborations across artistic mediums—for example, taking inspiration from visual art or literature in the music they create. Their GRAMMY-nominated album “Home” (released in 2024) included composer Caroline Shaw’s Work “Microfictions: Volume 1,” which was inspired by the short science fiction of T.R. Darling. Shaw composed the piece in collaboration with the Miró Quartet over videoconference during the pandemic lockdowns.
This was the quartet’s second GRAMMY nomination. They were nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY for “Home” in the category of Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance, and for a 2024 GRAMMY for their album “House of Belonging,” in the category of Best Choral Performance,
The quartet also identifies closely with its hometown—part of the inspiration for “Home.” Please check out the video they made to accompany their arrangement of “Over the Rainbow,” highlighting visuals from around Austin!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOFxiUhj4Ho
In addition, the Miró artists are accomplished music educators who enjoy connecting with students and audiences, previously serving as quartet-in-residence at both the University of Texas at Austin and the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m always looking for inspiration across different disciplines, whether it’s literature, philosophy, health, or personal growth. Books like The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami offer deep reflections on the human experience, creativity, and resilience—ideas that resonate deeply with us as musicians.
Stoic philosophy is another guiding force, with thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca reminding us to focus on what we can control and to approach challenges with clarity and discipline—something essential in both music and life.
In terms of modern voices, Vishen Lakhiani’s work on consciousness and self-optimization is always thought-provoking, and Gary Brecka’s insights into human performance and longevity are fascinating. Dr. Mark Hyman’s approach to health and wellness aligns with the importance of taking care of ourselves physically so we can continue making music at the highest level.
For entertainment and curiosity, Howard Stern’s interviews on Sirius/XM are unparalleled—his ability to draw out raw, real conversations is something I admire. And of course, the wisdom of John Wooden is a constant source of motivation when it comes to teamwork, discipline, and excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://miroquartet.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miroquartet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMiroQuartet/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/miro-quartet/
- Twitter: https://x.com/miroquartet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/themiroquartet
Image Credits
Dagny Piasecki/Dagnushka
