The Dolphins Quartet @ Scandinavia House

Luke Henderson - violin

Isaac Park - violin

James Preucil - viola

Ian Maloney - cello

In form and in concept, “The Dolphin Miniatures” are about as far as you can get from Schoenberg’s String Quartet no. 1, opus 7. Ranging in scale from 48 seconds to 5 minutes, these miniatures vividly paint a variety of charming and childlike images in as few notes as possible. After this 23-minute set, one is left with delight, glee, and a hint of nostalgia. However, in the same way that an appetizer stirs hunger, these miniature and lighthearted stories make one wonder: what would it feel like to hear a story that digs in and doesn’t give up, that expresses a wider and more substantial range of emotion? Thus, the stage is set perfectly for Schoenberg’s String Quartet no. 1, opus 7. Written in a continuous, 50-minute form, this massive work explores a single theme from every angle imaginable. From the turbulent opening measure to the heart-gripping ascension of the conclusion, it does the exact opposite of “The Dolphin Miniatures” by embracing and fully developing every possibility for musical exploration. These two works paired together highlight each other’s strengths and formal oddities, emphasizing the fantastic range of storytelling that a string quartet can accomplish.

About The Dolphins Quartet

The Dolphins Quartet is a string quartet and composer collective united by a belief that chamber music can be vibrant, daring, and deeply human. Trained at Juilliard and based in New York City, the quartet has gained recognition for adventurous programming, original compositions, and performances that reimagine the possibilities of quartet playing.

Luke, Ian, and James began playing together at a summer festival in Maine and their first performance together made quite a splash - resulting in admonishment for their improvisatory additions to Mendelssohn’s Op. 13. Yet, playing with people bold enough to take such risks was too thrilling to walk away from, and that spirit became the foundation of the ensemble’s identity. Upon returning to NYC, their long-time friend and musical partner Isaac joined their ragtag ensemble of chaotic creatives. Encouraged to channel their creativity into original work, they composed The Dolphin Miniatures, a seven-movement piece chronicling the stories and misadventures of their formative summer. Each year since, the quartet has composed works blending humor, nostalgia, and storytelling.

From performing non-standard repertoire early on in their journey to collaborations with living composers such as John Adams, Andy Akiho, and Jessie Montgomery, the Dolphins are devoted to discovery. This commitment led to their formation of their Young Composers Program, a free initiative empowering pre-college composers to write for string quartet.

Equally important is their work in community engagement. Through Project Music Heals Us, the Dolphins worked with incarcerated composers in California and taught string players in Nairobi, Kenya, building strong musical communities and giving their students hope for the future.

Whether performing at festivals, in schools, or unconventional spaces, the Dolphins aim to create warmth, joy, and belonging. True to their name, they embody playfulness, intelligence, and a welcoming spirit wherever their music takes them. And yes, they can swim.

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