The Akilone Quartet is the fruit of a musical and human adventure that began in Paris in 2011. Mainly guided by Hatto Beyerle, Vladimir Mendelssohn and now Patrick Jüdt, the four musicians won the First Grand Prize and the ProQuartet Prize at the 8th Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in 2016. Internationally renowned, the Akilone Quartet has performed in the greatest concert halls in France and abroad: Munetsugu Hall in Nagoya, Wigmore Hall in London, Philharmonie de Paris, Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, Liszt Academy in Budapest...
Anchored in its time, the Quatuor Akilone also turns to creation. It is the dedicatee of the work by composer Xu Yi : Aquilone Lontano, inspired by the Quartet's name - "the kite" in Italian - and premiered at the Philharmonie de Paris in 2018. In 2023 he premiered Andris Dzenītis's 4th Quartet in Latvia, and in his quest for experimentation, he undertook a creolisation called Parastiches with Jérôme Désigaud around microtonality and polytempi, accompanied by the GMEA in Albi and the Maison de la Musique Contemporaine. Continuing their research, the Quartet will be travelling to the Czech Republic in 2023 to follow in Dvořák's footsteps, accompanying their CD 'Deep in the Forest' with a podcast produced by Tristan Labouret and Samuel Débias.
Musically committed, the Quatuor Akilone has always felt the need to share music with all kinds of audiences, especially those who are far from concert halls (prisoners, refugees, children, people with disabilities or in precarious situations, etc.). This fundamental approach is nurtured by loyal collaborations with Les Concerts de Poche and Musethica. Equally sensitive to the environmental issues affecting our times, the Quatuor is a member of the ARVIVA network and an ambassador for the Planet range from Chevalets Despiau. Since 2022 it has been in residence at the Fondation Singer-Polignac (Paris).
In keeping with these commitments, the Quatuor Akilone has also been building up its local roots in the Occitanie region over the last few years, notably through the Gresinhòl festival, based in the Grésigne forest in the Tarn region.
Magdalena Geka, First Violin, plays an Alessandro Gagliano 1734 generously donated by the Anima Music Foundation.
Magdalena Geka, violin I
Elise De-Bendelac, violin II
Perrine Guillemot, viola
Lucie Mercat, cello
April 2024
