As per the announcement by the Kronos Performing Arts Association (KPAA), longtime members of the Kronos Quartet, violinist John Sherba and violist Hank Dutt, will be stepping down from the ensemble by the conclusion of June, coinciding with Kronos’s significant 50th-anniversary season.
Having joined Kronos in 1977, Dutt and founding violinist David Harrington brought Sherba into the fold in 1978. Over the ensuing 46 years, Dutt and Sherba have left a lasting mark on the ensemble.
Before their retirements, Sherba and Dutt will participate in over 20 performances with the quartet across various cities and venues worldwide. Their final appearances with the group are slated for the ninth annual Kronos Festival, taking place from June 20–23, 2024, at San Francisco’s SFJAZZ Center.
Succeeding them are violinist Gabriela Díaz and violist Ayane Kozasa, who will join Harrington and cellist Paul Wiancko, the quartet's newest member as of 2023.
Since its inception, the Kronos Quartet has delivered thousands of concerts globally and sold over 4 million recordings on Nonesuch and other esteemed record labels, surpassing any other string quartet in history in terms of sales.
Moreover, the ensemble has commissioned more than 1100 new works and arrangements to date and has received 12 GRAMMY nominations, winning three. KPAA also initiated the Kronos Fifty for the Future project, commissioning 50 works intended for educational purposes and distributing them at no cost.
Sherba expressed his sentiments in a press release, saying, “It is surreal to have been part of the creation of so many significant compositions, to have encountered audiences in all the major venues, to have collaborated with a remarkable array of guest artists, and to have had the privilege of working with our exceptional manager, Janet Cowperthwaite, our staff, and our KPAA board, all while being surrounded by the incredible Kronos musicians, past and present.”
Dutt added, “The past 47 years with the Kronos Quartet have been incredibly fulfilling artistically. Each day has brought new collaborations with emerging composers, fellow musicians, and longstanding acquaintances. However, every journey has its conclusion. With the milestone of Kronos’ 50th anniversary behind us, I believe the time has come for me to step aside and allow a violist from the next generation to carry forward the Kronos legacy.”
Harrington expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s difficult to put into words the immense gratitude and admiration I have for the tireless dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment Hank and John have shown Kronos throughout these decades. Their expertise, camaraderie, and positivity have been the cornerstone of all our endeavors. I wish them nothing but the best as they embark on new paths."
“And now,” he continued, “Paul and I warmly welcome Gabriela and Ayane to the Kronos family! We are excited and inspired by their creativity, expertise, and innovative ideas that they will contribute to Kronos’ future endeavors. The next chapter promises to be filled with exciting adventures—stay tuned!”
Gabriela Díaz, recognized for her advocacy of contemporary music, has collaborated with renowned composers such as Pierre Boulez, Jessie Montgomery, Unsuk Chin, Joan Tower, Steve Reich, and Tania León. She currently serves as the concertmaster of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and is a member of the International Contemporary Ensemble and A Far Cry. Additionally, she holds teaching positions at Wellesley College and the Longy School of Music at Bard College.
Ayane Kozasa, a founding member of the acclaimed VC Artist Aizuri Quartet, where she performed for 11 years, is a former winner of the Primrose International Viola Competition. She presently forms the duo Ayane & Paul with Wiancko and teaches at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has also served as guest faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Northwestern University.
