ABOUT US

“The best guitar ensemble I have heard in years”

Andrew York - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

"Telepathic understanding on stage."

Jan Dohrmann - Program 2, Danish Radio

"I was impressed by their extraordinary musicality!"

Sergio Assad - LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS laureate, Assad Duo

“One of the best 4tetts I ever heard.”

Hubert Käppel

OUR STORY

The Erlendis Quartet has established itself as one of the most exciting groups of its generation. The standing ovations, enthusiastic reviews, and awards they’ve received speak for themselves. The ensemble has gained international acclaim from within and outside the classical guitar world.

„Competitions are for horses, not artists.”

– Béla Bartók

Nevertheless, by treating competition rounds like concert performances, the Erlendis Quartet has reaped an impressive harvest of prizes, including (among others) first place in the Danish Broadcasting Chamber Music Competition (Denmark, 2017), first place in the International Ensemble Competition by GFA (USA, 2017), first place and Audience Award in the International Chamber Music Competition in Aschaffenburg (Germany, 2016), and Special Prize in the Orlando Chamber Music Competition (the Netherlands, 2016).

„To play without passion is inexcusable!”

– Ludwig van Beethoven

Telepathic ensemble playing, broad dynamic range, and emotional yet precise interpretations are the signature features of the quartet. Sharing their passion for music is the essence of ensemble’s existence, and has inspired their international concert tours. To date they have performed in the USA, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Latvia, Ukraine, and their native country – Poland.

“Erlendis” is Icelandic for “overseas”, and name reflects the quartet’s dedication to exploring beyond the boundaries of the familiar guitar quartet territory.

„The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

The Erlendis Quartet was formed in October 2013, when all four members were students of Lukasz Kuropaczewski at the Academy of Music in Poznań, Poland. The next year they studied with Meccorre String Quartet cellist Karol Marianowski.

In 2015-2107, the quartet pursued postgraduate studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, where they were coached by Jesper Sivebaek, of the Scandinavian Guitar Duo, and Tim Frederiksen, former mentor of the Danish String Quartet. Throughout the years of study, the quartet took master classes with many renowned chamber musicians, including members of top ensembles (such as the Artemis Quartet, Belcea Quartet, Vogler Quartet, Faure Quartet, Lafayette String Quartet, and Berlin Piano Trio) and artists with premier labels including Deutsche Gramophone and EMI.

The ensemble is supported by the classical guitar strings brand SAVAREZ. Over the years, the Erlendis Quartet has been awarded scholarships funded by the Idella Foundation, Cultura Animi Foundation, and The Royal Danish Academy of Music Chamber Music Scholarship.

MEET THE MEMBERS

Adrian Furmankiewicz

Began his journey with the guitar at the age of 7 in his hometown, Pleszew.

Completed his master’s degree with honors from the Academy of Music in Poznań.

Completed postgraduate studies in chamber music at The Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) in Copenhagen.

Awarded in numerous guitar competitions, both solo and with the Erlendis Quartet.

Currently teaches guitar in southern Poland.

Enjoys sports, politics, mountain hikes, and learning latte art.

Wojciech Jurkiewicz

Started playing guitar at the age of 8, inspired by his mother, an amateur guitarist.

Graduated from the Poznań Academy of Music and the RDAM in Copenhagen.

Teaches at several music schools in Western Poland.

Serves as chairman of the Lubuskie Guitar Society.

Enjoys streaming TV series, going on mountain hikes, and indulging in a quick city break.

Daniel Egielman

He started playing at the age of seven in in his hometown, Gdańsk.

Completed his master’s degree with honours from the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg.

He is the laureate of more than 20 international guitar competitions.

Currently teaches guitar in the state Upper Austria and lives in Salzburg.

Passionate about cycling and running.

Karol Mruk

Began studying guitar at the age of 9 in his hometown in Oleśnica.

Graduated with distinction from Academy of Music in Poznan in 2015.

Pursued a postgraduate program in chamber music at the RDAM in Copenhagen.

Apart from music, he enjoys playing chess and cycling.

Currently resides in Aarhus, Denmark.