Kuss Quartet - About

Happily, there is an impressive array of organisations for the promotion and support of young artists. BBT offers something, however, that is quite unique. It is an award that supports artists in the crucial stage between initial breakthroughs and successes, and the period where one becomes fully established in the musical world. This period is often forgotten about and can cause huge problems, where the enormous costs of publicity, travel (a five-ticket affair for the beleaguered quartet and cello) and all sorts of other unforeseen costs are often not covered by the concert fees of young artists. What a wonderful, insightful foundation, unprecedented in the intelligence and imagination with which it is run. Helping young artists develop as serious musicians of integrity despite the difficulties of a modern and commercial world.

The Kuss Quartet ranks highly among a host of internationally-acclaimed ensembles to come out of Germany and has been setting new standards for many years with its ambitious concept-based programming in both live and recorded performance. Its mission is to offer unique experiences to traditional and new listeners alike through avid commissioning of new work, collaboration with other leading musicians and combining core string quartet repertoire with other art forms including dance, world music and poetry.

BBT was there in the early years to help develop and encourage their vision and endeavours by providing funds for new publicity photographs, engagement of PR services in Germany and travel costs for a US tour.

Kuss Quartet was supported with a BBT Award between 2003 and 2006.

For a current biography please visit kussquartet.com or goette.de

Photographs by Rüdiger Schestag