“We’ve spent 23 years in Austin, and it’s shaped the way we create music,” shared Joshua Gindele, cellist of the Miró Quartet. "There’s something uniquely inspiring about this city that allows us to be both rooted in tradition and willing to take risks with new sounds."
As one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, the Miró Quartet has carved out a prominent space in the classical music world, drawing on the creativity of Austin’s music scene to shape its distinct musical voice.
Founded in 1995, the Miró Quartet has garnered high praise from critics, with the Cleveland Plain Dealer noting their "exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity," and The New Yorker describing their performances as "furiously committed."
Named after Spanish surrealist artist Joan Miró, the quartet’s identity is rooted in the concept of blending imagination with tradition, much like Miró’s artwork. For the ensemble, the name mirrors their artistic approach: To honor the past while forging new, bold paths forward.
The quartet consists of Josh Gindele (cello), Daniel Ching (violin), William Fedkenheuer (violin), and John Largess (viola). Two of the original members, Ching and Gindele, remain with the group, having built the Miró Quartet into one of the most influential ensembles in the world.
"When the Miró Quartet started in 1995, we were just a group of young musicians with big dreams and a lot of energy," Gindele recently told the Austin American-Statesman. "We were inspired by the great ensembles before us and determined to carve out our own voice."
The Miró Quartet’s recent Grammy nominations highlight their continued artistic growth and innovation. In 2024, they were nominated for a Grammy for House of Belonging, a collaboration with Austin-based choral group Conspirare.
"It was our first time as guests on someone else’s album, and it felt like such a rewarding artistic partnership," Gindele said. "We weren’t the main focus, but we were contributing to something beautiful and that was deeply meaningful for us."
Their second Grammy nomination earlier this year for Home highlights their ongoing exploration of contemporary compositions.
"With Home, it’s all about reflecting our personal and collective experiences," Gindele said. "The album feels like a love letter to Austin and the way this city has influenced our sound."
The quartet worked with composers Kevin Puts and Caroline Shaw on Home. Their contemporary pieces anchor the album alongside works by George Walker and Samuel Barber.
"We’ve been so fortunate to work with these composers," Gindele shared. "Kevin’s and Caroline’s voices are theatrical, almost cinematic, yet deeply personal. Their pieces are the kind of music that speaks directly to the soul."
Recording in Austin’s KMFA, a local classical radio station, has further solidified their deep ties to the community.
"Recording at KMFA has been such a game-changer for us," Gindele said. "It’s a space that feels like home. We get to sleep in our own beds and record at a world-class facility that’s just down the street."
The Miró Quartet’s connection to Austin is also reflected in their role as the quartet-in-residence at the University of Texas at Austin. For over two decades, they have influenced the next generation of musicians.
"Teaching keeps us grounded," Gindele said. "It forces us to strip everything down, to explain why we do what we do. It’s an ever-evolving process of learning as much as it is about teaching."
Gindele sees teaching as integral to their musicianship, as it challenges them to reconsider their approach to music more deeply.
"It makes us rethink the very basics, which is something that never gets old," he said. "Every time I teach a student something, I rediscover it myself."
The quartet's long tenure in Austin has given them a sense of stability that many musicians lack.
"I’ve realized how lucky we are to have this long-term home in Austin," Gindele continued. "Being able to maintain a stable academic job while continuing to tour and create music is a rare gift in this industry. We don’t take that for granted."
The quartet’s roots in Austin have enabled them to build relationships that extend beyond the stage, nurturing a lasting connection with the city and its people.
As they celebrate 30 years of collaboration, the Miró Quartet remains focused on innovation and creative expression. Their upcoming projects, including a deep dive into the music of Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, showcase their ongoing commitment to expanding the boundaries of classical music. They also plan to release a holiday album in November.
"Ginastera’s music is so rich and intricate," Gindele said. "Recording his complete string quartets has been a personal journey for all of us."
As the quartet continues to grow and inspire, Austin remains at the heart of their creativity.
"We were inspired by the great ensembles before us and determined to carve out our own voice."
"Recording at KMFA has been such a game-changer. It’s a space that feels like home. We get to sleep in our own beds and record at a world-class facility that’s just down the street."