After ten years with the Kronos Quartet, cellist Sunny Yang will leave the group at the end of January 2023 to pursue other projects. Cellist/composer Paul Wiancko will join the ensemble in February. 

Wiancko was recently featured in The Washington Post’s “22 for ‘22: Composers and Performers to Watch.” In addition to contributing a work to the 50 for the Future collection, he has served as a guest cellist with Kronos on tour.

Kronos Quartet’s Artistic Director David Harrington said, “We thank Sunny for 10 fabulous years with Kronos! Sunny’s elegant, incisive playing has anchored our concerts, recordings, and rehearsals. She led us into the iPad era; her ease with all of our composers and her indelible contributions to 50 for the Future have permanently influenced the music of Kronos. We all wish Sunny the very best in the future. 

“We welcome Paul to Kronos! We look forward to soaring into the future with the catalytic, super-charged vitality of Paul’s playing. It will be so much fun to explore the vast world of music together with Paul. There are so many cool adventures ahead.”

Said Sunny Yang, “David, John, and Hank continue to inspire me through their dedication, artistry, kindness, and finding joy in things both big and small. I’m honored to have them as my colleagues as well as my friends, and I would like to thank them for the incredible musical journey we shared for the past ten years.”

Stated Paul Wiancko, “I am absolutely thrilled to become a member of the Kronos Quartet! The mere thought of joining an ensemble that has had such a profound impact on my musical life evokes feelings that are impossible to put into words. I am proud to get to draw from my experience as a cellist, chamber musician, educator, and composer to help the Kronos Quartet continue to inspire young musicians, advocate for composers around the world, and provide a glimpse into the musical landscape of the future — in short, all of the things they have already done for me.”