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Joel Link, the founding first violinist of the Dover Quartet, has been appointed concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra from the start of the 2025-26 season. He replaces David Radzynski, who resigned from the post in March 2024 in a joint decision with the orchestra.
The news comes at a time when the Dover Quartet’s violist, Julianne Lee, who had been with the group since September 2023, recently announced her decision to quit at the end of the 2024-25 season and return to her previous post as assistant principal second violin of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She had replaced founding violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, who left in 2022.
At the time, Lee wrote: ‘Being part of one of the world’s most in-demand quartets requires being on the road much of the time, and I’ve realised that this schedule doesn’t align as well with my lifestyle as a position with a home orchestra does.’
This latest news of Link’s appointment has given the group a chance to reconsider their future and they have decided to stay together while juggling their members’ new roles, with Lee returning to her position as the Dover’s violist.
The twice-Grammy award nominated ensemble was originally formed in 2008 at the Curtis Institute of Music, comprising founding members Link, Pajaro-van der Stadt, violinist Bryan Lee and cellist Camden Shaw.
The members of the quartet posted the following message on their social media channels:
‘We have some exciting news to share! First, huge congratulations to our first violinist Joel Link, who was announced today as the next Concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra! As you may already know, our violist Julianne Lee will be returning to the Boston Symphony Orchestra this summer in her position as Assistant Principal Second Violin.
‘With these changes, we’ve had a chance to think about the quartet’s future and reflect on our very special personal and artistic bond. The truth is, we can’t imagine not making music together. Today, we are overjoyed to announce that we are staying together in our current configuration: Joel, Bryan, Julianne, and Camden!
‘We’re committed to playing chamber music at the highest level, without compromise. We’re committed to sustaining the passion, vibrancy, excitement, and (we hope!) musical excellence we share with you every time we take the stage. We will focus our performances in tour periods that allow us to balance our individual pursuits, while continuing to perform as the Dover Quartet at the highest artistic level.
‘We’re proud to have undergone this period of introspection and emerged with an even deeper appreciation for the magic we create together. We can’t wait to see you on the road – and we’re so grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey.
‘With appreciation, love, and joy,
‘Joel, Bryan, Julianne, and Camden.’
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