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Edward Dusinberre, Mihai Marica, Harumi Rhodes and Richard O’Neill.��
Photo credit: Amanda Tipton.

The , called “the essential quartet of our time” by The New York Times and fresh off a 50th anniversary season of international touring and critical acclaim, announces the retirement of cellist András Fejér, the last remaining member of the original Takács Quartet (founded in 1975). Fejér will step down at the end of the 2025-26 season after a remarkable 51-year tenure. The quartet’s newest member, Romanian-born cellist , will join the Takács as of Sept. 1, 2026. As part of the ensemble’s longstanding residency at the ��������, Marica will also join the College of Music faculty. The current members of the quartet are violinists Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes, violist Richard O’Neill and cellist András Fejér.

“We are so very grateful to András for the fulfilling and fun quartet work we’ve been lucky enough to share,” said Dusinberre, Rhodes and O’Neill, adding, “for the strength and integrity of his cello playing and musicianship sustained over more than five decades, for his friendship, support and humor. While cherishing András’ extraordinary legacy, we are thrilled to welcome Mihai as our new cellist. From the very first notes we played together with Mihai, we felt an instant musical connection and we eagerly look forward to the future.”

The first Takács season with Marica (2026-27) will include a focus on the music of Gabriela Lena Frank and a North American tour with Jeremy Denk performing César Franck’s Piano Quintet. The Takács will also appear next season at Carnegie Hall and the Chamber Music Society Lincoln Center. As associate artists at Wigmore Hall, the quartet will perform four concerts including works by Franz Schubert, Carlos Simon, Johannes Brahms and Joseph Haydn.

Marica won first prize at the Dr. Luis Sigall International Competition in Viña del Mar, Chile, and the Irving M. Klein International Competition, and is a recipient of Charlotte White’s Salon de Virtuosi Fellowship Grant. A dedicated chamber musician, he has performed at the Chamber Music Northwest, Norfolk, and Aspen music festivals where he has collaborated with such artists as Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, David Shifrin, André Watts and Edgar Meyer. He was a member of the Amphion String Quartet and the Apollo Trio. He is an alumnus of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program for extraordinary early-career artists and continues to perform on the CMS roster. A recent collaboration with dancer Lil Buck resulted in new pieces for solo cello written by Yevgeniy Sharlat and Patrick Castillo. He has performed with orchestras and in recital in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

“I am profoundly honored and humbled to be joining the Takács Quartet,” said Marica. “I have been deeply inspired by the quartet’s recordings and performances over the years. Joining the group is truly a dream come true. As an ardent admirer of András Fejér’s musicianship, it has been a joy already to spend some time with him. I eagerly look forward to joining Ed, Harumi and Richard in continuing the Takács’ time-honored tradition and exploring new paths ahead.”

Fejér said, “After 51 years, this feels like it’s the right time—I've had a beautifully rewarding quality of life working endlessly on the most inspiring music, with wonderful colleagues who became great friends, seeing the world and performing all over for appreciative audiences who always kept us honest. Heartfelt thanks to all the friends, supporters and presenters over the years—I’ll miss you like mad but I’m excited for the quartet’s future with Mihai.��The pleasure has truly been mine!”

This news comes among many recent accolades including Chamber Music America’s prestigious Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award, announced in November and given in recognition of the Takács Quartet’s immeasurable contributions to the chamber music field—and particularly the string quartet community. The award will be officially presented in August 2026.

MEDIA

Shirley Kirshbaum, President, Kirshbaum Associates
Phone: 212.222.4843 | Mobile: 917.331.1888
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Beverly Greenfield, Director of Public Relations, Kirshbaum Associates
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