Juilliard String Quartet First Violinist, Nick Eanet, Will Step Down

Health Issues for the Ensemble's Most Recent Appointment Make Extensive Touring Difficult

The members of the Juilliard String Quartet and Juilliard School President Joseph W. Polisi announced today that current first violinist and newest Quartet member, Nick Eanet, will be leaving the Quartet for health reasons. Mr. Eanet suffers from an acute digestive ailment that makes extended touring, the kind demanded by the Juilliard String Quartet's worldwide career, too difficult. Although chronic, the ailment is not life threatening, and it is with reluctance that the remaining JSQ members already have begun a search for a violinist to complete the foursome. Mr. Eanet will remain with the Quartet next season while they complete that search.

Nick Eanet's debut performance as the Quartet's first violinist took place in September, 2009; reviews have been outstanding, citing the ensemble's unity from the very start, and the ‘rich detail' and ‘dynamic warmth' of their playing.

Mr. Eanet's sentiment was clear as he stated, "It is with a heavy heart that I must give up my position with the Juilliard String Quartet. It has been a privilege to make music and work with such wonderful people and musicians. Unfortunately, my health will not allow me to continue but I will remember my time with the quartet as a high point in my musical career."

Registering the disappointment that is shared by all three of the continuing Quartet members, violinist Ronald Copes said, "It has been an immense artistic and personal pleasure working with Nick over the past year, watching and listening as the Quartet's voice has evolved. It is a great disappointment that we won't be able to continue this collaboration for the long term."

The Quartet members enjoy a natural and relaxed personal relationship as well, that matches their artistic compatibility, and cellist Joel Krosnick's empathy was apparent as he stated, "I have enormously enjoyed our artistic colleagueship with Nick Eanet, and regret very much that his health issues have made it impossible to continue for the long term the fine music we are sharing together."

According to Juilliard President Joseph W. Polisi, "Nick brought a wonderful new energy and sonority to the ensemble which will be deeply missed by us all. We wish him all the best in the future."

The Juilliard String Quartet was founded as Juilliard's resident string quartet in 1946 by then Juilliard President William Schuman, and has come to define the "American Sound" in string quartet and chamber repertoire. As champions of contemporary music since their founding, the Juilliard String Quartet has commissioned works from noted composers such as Milton Babbitt, Elliott Carter, Ralph Shapey, Ezekiel Viñao, and Richard Wernick. As teaching faculty members and chamber music coaches at Juilliard, they have been a notable part of the School's string legacy, educating young musicians, and mentoring ensembles who now perform worldwide. Their continued love of music, their skill, and their respect for each other personally and professionally have made them important role models, as well.

Juilliard String Quartet violist Samuel Rhodes, the longest standing member of the ensemble, both reflected on the situation and looked toward the future by saying, "This past season with Nick was wonderful, in terms of both the musical collaboration and the personal interaction among the four of us. We are extremely sorry that, because of compelling medical reasons, Nick must leave the Quartet. Ron, Joel and I will continue the great legacy of the Juilliard String Quartet by choosing a colleague who, willingly and joyfully, will share that responsibility with us."