Guitars, electronics and ancient treatises: the JACK Quartet at 92NY

By Kurt Gottschalk, 22 March 2026

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“who has done as much as anyone to define minimalism for the 21st century”

Reviewed at The 92nd Street Y: Buttenwieser Hall, New York City on 20 March 2026

Ormston, New Paintings (World premiere)

Reidy, Shadow Symmetric (World premiere)

GoGwilt, Future Mode 1

Perich, A Selection of Short Works, Open-Ended, Somewhat Optimistic (World premiere)

JACK Quartet

JACK Quartet puts Boulez in broader context

Kurt Gottschalk, 12th March

The JACK Quartet frames its recital at Symphony Space on Manhattan’s Upper West Side around the Pierre Boulez centennial.

*****

David Wolfson, 10th November

The JACK Quartet give an immaculate performance of a disastrously programmed concert at the 92nd St Y.

*1111

The JACK Quartet’s thing with strings could launch a revolution

Christopher Woodley, 11th May

At Wigmore Hall, the JACK Quartet's sonic mastery gives a lift to Liza Lim and threatens to start a carrot revolution.

****1

A Feldmanesque meditation by Tyshawn Sorey

Kurt Gottschalk, 16th December

It was like a quiet day in a sunny room. The air was still, shadows and colors changed as the sun moved across the sky, but nothing inside the room ever actually moved.

*****

Spirit of Delight: Iannis Xenakis celebrated at the Southbank Centre

Christopher Woodley, 8th October

The Greek composer's centenary is marked by the London Sinfonietta, Colin Currie Group and the JACK Quartet.

*****

JACK slows time at Time:Spans

Kurt Gottschalk, 25th August

An insistently slow premiere by Eric Wubbels is followed by a longer work by Catherine Lamb which makes the former sound almost like a calypso.

*****

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

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