The Ciompi Quartet is an American string quartet in residence at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is one of the world's most enduring string quartets, having celebrated its 60th season in 2025. The ensemble is noted for its long-standing commitment to both traditional repertoire and new music, its active pedagogy, and its role in the musical life of Duke University.
History The quartet was founded in 1965 by Giorgio Ciompi, a Florentine violinist, as part of Duke University's artist-in-residence program. The founding members were Ciompi (first violin), Julia Mueller (viola), Arlene DiCecco (second violin), and Luca DiCecco (cello). In 1966, they were officially appointed as the quartet-in-residence at Duke, a role they maintain to this day.
Artistic Profile and Activities The Ciompi Quartet is deeply involved in both performance and education. All current members are professors of the practice in Duke University's Music Department, where they teach, coach chamber music, and lead workshops. Their presence on campus extends to informal concerts (in dormitories and classrooms) as well as formal recitals. Over its decades-long career, the quartet has performed across five continents, including tours in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Members
First Violin 1965 - 1983: Giorgio Ciompi 1984 - 1994: Bruce Berg 1995 - present: Eric Pritchard
Second Violin 1965 - 1973: Arlene DiCecco 1973 - 1981: Claudia Erdberg 1982 - 1990: Claudia Bloom 1990 - present: Hsiao-mei Ku
Viola 1965 - 1975: Julia Mueller 1975 - 1979: Bruce Plumb 1979 - 1986: George Taylor 1986 - present: Jonathan Bagg
Violoncello 1965 - 1973: Luca DiCecco 1973 - 1974: Sharon Robinson 1974 - 2018: Fred Raimi 2018 - present: Caroline Stinson
Repertoire and Commissions While the Ciompi Quartet has a solid footing in the classical and romantic quartet tradition, it is also a strong advocate for contemporary music. Over five decades they have commissioned and premiered works by many composers, especially those associated with Duke University, including Paul Schoenfield, Stephen Jaffe, Scott Lindroth, and Melinda Wagner.
A particularly notable collaboration was with pipa player Min Xiao-Fen, for whom contemporary composers such as Alan Chan and Andrew Waggoner wrote new works, including a project titled An American in Shanghai: Forgotten Stories.
In recent years they have solidified their commitment to young writers by forming “The Portfolio Project”. The program offers commissions to current Duke graduate composers for short string quartet movements which are then rehearsed, workshopped and performed by Ciompi. In 2025/26 they expanded the opportunity to also include students from University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Commissioned Works ComposerWorkYearPremiere Date Maximiliano AmiciEncounters2024March 2025 Sidney Marquez BoquirenPaghirap, Pagsiskap, At Pagpupunyagi20242024 Alan ChanCatch Me at the Canidrome2024April 2024 Andrew WaggonerForgotten Stories2024April 2024 John SupkoSoleil Noir2021February 2021 Scott LindrothSchley Road2019April 2019 David Kirkland GarnerSkye & Glass2016February 2016 Stephen JaffeString Quartet No. 32015April 2015 Melinda WagnerMy Tioga2014April 2014 Scott LindrothString Quintet2013April 2013 Donald WheelockString Quartet No. 62012March 2012 John SupkoInland Ocean2011April 2011 Chiayu HsuJourney to the West2010April 2010 David Kirkland Garneri ain't broke (but i'm badly bent)20092009 Mark KussBent 1-52008November 2008 Anthony M. KelleySidelines20082008 Robert WardOboe Quintet2007February 2007 Marc FarisMountain Music2006November 2006 Mark KussLullabys2004June 2004 Scott LindrothNasuh2004February 2004 Mark KussReminiscence2003June 2003 Paul SchoenfieldString Quartet No. 2 Memoirs2003April 2003 James BolleString Quartet #22002May 2002 Nathaniel StookeyMusée Mecanique2002April 2002 Sidney BoquirenPagsamba20012001 Malcolm PeytonSecond String Quartet20012001 Mark KussElegy20012001 Joanne MetcalfHopeful Monster20002000 Mark ScearceString Quartet Y2K20002000 Max RaimiViola Quintet19991999 Scott LindrothString Quartet19971997 Mark KussAmerican Triptych19961996 Zhou LongPoems of Tang19951995 Kevin ScottString Quartet19951995 David FroomSixth String Quartet19951995 Donald WheelockFourth String Quartet19931993 Stephen JaffeFirst Quartet19911991 G. Theodore WiprudString Quartet No. 1 Refining Fire19911991 Kenneth FrazelleString Quartet19901990 Donald WheelockThird String Quartet19901990 R. Michael DoughertySouthern Landscapes19891989 Michael ChingString Quartet No. 219881988
Recordings
1992 - The Ciompi Quartet: Frank Bridge, Ludwig von Beethoven; Sheffield Lab 1993 - American Works for String Quartet: Aaron Copland, Robert Ward and Stephen Jaffe, Albany Records 1994 - The Ciompi Quartet plays Donald Wheelock, Albany Records 2003 - Melancholie: Paul Hindemith, Earl Kim, Arvo Pärt and Ralph Vaughan Williams, Albany Records 2006 - Live at St. Stephens: Joseph Haydn, Sergei Prokofiev and Maurice Ravel, Ciompi Release 2011 - Tales From Chelm | Memoirs: Paul Schoenfield; Milken Archive Digital 2013 - Complete Music by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst, Volume 4; Toccata Classics 2015 - Journeys: Journey to the West by Hsu, Chiayu; Naxos 2017 - Mosaic - EP: Joel Feigin 2025 - A Duke Moment: Anthony Kelley, Stephen Jaffe and Scott Lindroth; New Focus Recordings PLEASE NOTE: Ciompi Quartet Provided the Source for Recording List
At Home and Abroad
The Ciompi Quartet has consistently worked to maintain its presence and impact as both a local and an international ensemble. The quartet has held impactful local residencies, like the one at the Duke University Medical Center beginning in 1980, supported by a grant from Chamber Music America. The quartet has also toured extensively throughout the world, including a 2025 tour to China as both performing artists and guest teachers.
Legacy and Impact The Ciompi Quartet has maintained a continuous presence at Duke University for decades, serving not just as performers but as educators and mentors. Their long-term commissioning of new works has enriched the string quartet repertoire, particularly from composers associated with Duke.
Critics often praise the ensemble for its warm, unified sound, technical excellence, and intelligent programming. Their blend of traditional and modern music, and their dedication to both performance and pedagogy, make them a significant force in American chamber music. References
External links The Ciompi Website. Ciompi's YouTube channel Ciompi Quartet Performs Marie Jaëll's String Quartet Ciompi Quartet profile on Duke Arts website Ciompi Quartet Recordings CIOMPI: A WEB SERIES