Four young cellists joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2014 and decided to channel their enthusiasm and artistry into a creative new ensemble: the Pittsburgh Cello Quartet. Recognized for both refinement and versatility, the PCQ engages audiences with its eclectic, memorable programming. Founded by Bronwyn Banerdt, Michael DeBruyn, Charlie Powers, and Alexandra Thompson, the quartet is passionate about exploring the rich and varied catalog of original compositions for four cellos, complementing these works with transcriptions of Baroque masterpieces, Renaissance madrigals, and PCQ’s own arrangements of popular favorites from the Beatles and Billy Joel to U2 and Guns ’N Roses.
In May 2017, the Pittsburgh Cello Quartet made its highly anticipated Pittsburgh concert debut at the Hollywood Theater, presented by Chamber Music Pittsburgh. In July, the PCQ was a featured guest ensemble at the Frostburg State University Summer Music Academy in Frostburg, Maryland. Other recent Pittsburgh area performances include return appearances at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz Hall, and a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at a Pittsburgh Pirates game.
In addition to its regular performance schedule, the PCQ inspires young people through innovative educational programs. Already in demand at schools throughout the Pittsburgh region, the PCQ is devoted to cultivating artistic expression, beauty, and joy in future generations. The members of the quartet are also actively involved in their community, serving on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University, coaching the students of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, and maintaining private teaching studios.
The Pittsburgh Cello Quartet’s members are each distinguished individual artists, frequently appearing around the world as soloists and chamber musicians. They have played in some of the world’s greatest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. PCQ members hold degrees from the most prestigious institutions in the USA, including the Curtis Institute, Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute, and New England Conservatory. They have studied and performed chamber music with such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Kim Kashkashian, Ricardo Morales, Mitsuko Uchida, and members of the Guarneri, Emerson, Borodin, Cleveland, and Juilliard Quartets. Festival appearances include Marlboro, Tanglewood, Aspen, and Banff.
For more information on the Pittsburgh Cello Quartet visit www.pittsburghcelloquartet.com and follow @pittsburghcelloquartet on Facebook and Instagram.
