Simone Gramaglia is considered one of the best violists of his generation. A founding member of Quartetto di Cremona, throughout his career he has performed in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and collaborated with influential figures on the international music scene. His chamber and solo repertoire ranges from Bach to the 20th century, with a particular focus on Contemporary Music. Simone Gramaglia combines his passion for music with that for philosophy and literature, through an intense activity as a musician, teacher and artistic director (Le Dimore del Quartetto, MusicwithMasters, Sergio Dragoni Competition) that has allowed him to constantly promote musical culture, doing his best to support young people in particular. He was the first Italian violist to play Stradivari’s “Paganini” viola for an extended period (Nippon Music Foundation). He writes the column “L’Angolo del Quartetto” in Archi Magazine.Quartetto” su Archi Magazine.

The Kuss Quartet has been setting new standards for many years with its ambitious concept-based programming. Its mission is to offer unique experiences to traditional audiences and new listeners alike.

Leader Jana Kuss and second violinist Oliver Wille have been playing side by side for over 30 years. With curiosity, they and their long-standing colleagues, William Coleman and Mikayel Hakhnazaryan, seek confirmation of the eternal “muss es sein” of string quartet playing.

In 2019, the Kuss Quartet was the first German string quartet to be lent the legendary Stradivari “Paganini Quartet” by the Nippon Music Foundation. On these instruments, the quartet played the complete string quartets of Beethoven in June 2019 at the invitation of Suntory Hall Tokyo. The resulting live recording was released in spring 2020 on the British label Rubicon Classics with the support of G. Henle Verlag.

At the beginning of its career, the quartet was awarded first prizes by the German Music Council and at the Borciani Competition. It also received a Borletti-Buitoni Award and was a “Rising Star” of the European Concert Hall Organisation.

Today, the Kuss Quartet inspires the next generation in frequent master classes. William Coleman (Salzburg) and Oliver Wille (Hanover, Birmingham, Biella) are professors at European universities, while Mikayel Hakhnazaryan teaches chamber music at the Hochschule in Karlsruhe and Jana Kuss at the Accademia Perosi in Biella (Italy).