South Korea's Arete Quartet has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Korean string quartet ever to reach the finals and win a prize at the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition. The ensemble secured second place on Sunday at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada, marking a significant achievement for Korean classical music on the international stage.

Out of nine ensembles selected for the competition's 15th edition, the Arete Quartet successfully advanced through four challenging rounds to earn a coveted spot among the top three finalists. In their final performance, the quartet showcased their versatility and technical prowess by performing Benjamin Britten's "Three Divertimenti for String Quartet," the first movement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K.465, and Leoš Janáček's String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata."

Their outstanding performance earned them the runner-up prize, which includes CA$12,000 (approximately $8,700), along with a valuable residency opportunity at the Banff Centre and access to mentorship programs. The first prize was awarded to the Poiesis Quartet, while the Kairi Quartet claimed third place in the highly competitive field.

Cellist and leader Park Seong-hyeon expressed the ensemble's gratitude and pride in their achievement, stating, "We are deeply honored to be the first Korean string quartet to reach the finals and win a prize at BISQC. Representing our country in this way holds great meaning for us." This sentiment reflects not only their personal accomplishment but also their role as cultural ambassadors for South Korea.

Formed in 2019, the Arete Quartet consists of violinists Jeon Chae-ann and Park Eun-joong, violist Jang Yoon-sun, and cellist Park Seong-hyeon. The ensemble has built an impressive track record of international recognition, having won first prize at the Prague Spring International Music Competition in 2021, the Mozart International Competition in 2023, and the Lyon International Chamber Music Competition in 2024. Additionally, they secured third prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in 2025, marking another first for a Korean ensemble.

In 2025, the quartet achieved another milestone by becoming the first ensemble to be named as artist-in-residence at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei. As part of this residency, the Arete Quartet will present their third concert on Thursday at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul, featuring a collaboration with pianist Kim Jun-hyung.

Currently, the quartet members are pursuing advanced chamber music studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich under the guidance of renowned instructors Christoph Poppen and Kim Jae-young of the Novus Quartet. This continued education demonstrates their commitment to artistic growth and excellence in their craft.

The ensemble is preparing for an exciting new chapter with their debut album release scheduled for November. According to their agency Moc Production, the upcoming album will reflect the group's artistic identity through a carefully curated Czech repertoire, featuring Leoš Janáček's complete string quartets and works by Josef Suk.

To celebrate their album release, the quartet will kick off a release recital titled "Janáček – Suk" on November 29 at the IBK Chamber Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. Following this premiere performance, they will embark on a four-city tour with additional recitals scheduled in Daejeon, as well as Gimhae and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, bringing their artistry to audiences across South Korea.

The Banff International String Quartet Competition, founded in 1983 and held every three years, stands as one of the world's most prestigious chamber music competitions. The competition has served as a launching pad for several internationally renowned quartets, with past winners including the celebrated Hagen Quartet, Belcea Quartet, and Dover Quartet. The Arete Quartet's success at this competition positions them among an elite group of musicians and opens doors for continued international recognition and career advancement.