Cikada String Quartet

Karin Hellqvist, Magnus Boye Hansen, Bendik  Foss og Inga Byrkjeland.

The Cikada String Quartet is a renowned Norwegian string quartet with evidently strong ties to the ensemble Cikada. Founded in 1989, the quartet quickly established itself as an internationally recognized group exploring and experimenting with new musical dimensions within the genre of string quartets, including electronic music.

Since its inception, the Cikada String Quartet has collaborated closely with numerous prominent composers and musicians, releasing several notable albums and participating in recordings with other talented artists. One of their most significant moments came in 1995 when they won the Spellemann Prize in the chamber music category for their album “Black Angels,” featuring works by George Crumb, Anton Webern, and Witold Lutosławski.

In 2006, the Cikada String Quartet was honored with the prestigious Dutch Edison Prize in the chamber music category for their album “In due tempi,” featuring works by Bruno Maderna, Kaija Saariaho, and John Cage. This esteemed ensemble was also nominated for the Spellemann Prize in 2018 in the contemporary music category for their remarkable collaboration with composer Knut Olaf Sunde on the album “Vertigo Room,” featuring music created by Sunde.

With their ongoing exploration of musical innovation and an impressive track record of collaborations and releases, the Cikada String Quartet continues to be a significant presence in the Norwegian music scene.