Biography
Formed in 2018 in Basel, Switzerland, the Protean Quartet derives its name from the shape-shifting Greek sea deity Proteus as well as the broader notion of constant transformation. Its lineup consists of violinists Javier Aguilar and Edi Kotler, violist Ricardo Gil, and cellist Clara Rada, all of whom maintain deep connections to early music and to Basel’s thriving historical-performance community. The players received training in Berlin at the Universität der Künste and the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler as well as at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Individually they have appeared with prominent Baroque ensembles such as the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Lautten Compagney, and Gli Incogniti.
One of the few string quartets dedicated to period instruments and guided by the historical-performance ethos, the group extends that involvement through its members’ parallel activities with other ensembles. In 2023 the quartet issued its debut recording on the Eudora label, an album presenting quartets by Haydn, Beethoven, and João Pedro de Almeida Mota.
The ensemble quickly accumulated major distinctions, among them first prize at the Biagio Marini International Competition in Germany in 2020 and first prize at the York International Early Music Competition in 2022. Festival engagements have included the Oude Muziek Festival in Utrecht, the Festival International de Arte Sacro in Madrid, the Festival de Saintes in France, and Concentus Moraviae in Czechia. In 2024 the quartet released its second album, Tempus omnia vincit, on the Linn Records label; the program contained works by Henry Purcell, Josquin Desprez, and Schubert. Gramophone magazine named the recording an Editor’s Choice in August of that year.
One of the few string quartets dedicated to period instruments and guided by the historical-performance ethos, the group extends that involvement through its members’ parallel activities with other ensembles. In 2023 the quartet issued its debut recording on the Eudora label, an album presenting quartets by Haydn, Beethoven, and João Pedro de Almeida Mota.
The ensemble quickly accumulated major distinctions, among them first prize at the Biagio Marini International Competition in Germany in 2020 and first prize at the York International Early Music Competition in 2022. Festival engagements have included the Oude Muziek Festival in Utrecht, the Festival International de Arte Sacro in Madrid, the Festival de Saintes in France, and Concentus Moraviae in Czechia. In 2024 the quartet released its second album, Tempus omnia vincit, on the Linn Records label; the program contained works by Henry Purcell, Josquin Desprez, and Schubert. Gramophone magazine named the recording an Editor’s Choice in August of that year.
Albums