This quartet is spectacular. I grew up playing the violin and piano, played in orchestras all through college, and still play chamber music very frequently. We hired a quartet to play during our cocktail hour (90 minutes, actually), and I had very specific ideas about the kind of music I wanted -- classical, but also music with longer lyrical lines, rather than the more lively stuff (outer movements of Mozart and Haydn quartets, etc.) that's sometimes played. I also was very concerned about finding a quartet that would be really and truly good. I hoped for musicians that would, at least, play in tune; then I thought if their tone was full and not thin, that'd be even better; and if they had some musicianship, that'd be icing on the cake.

The Sage quartet blew all these expectation out of the water. At the cocktails they sounded spectacular -- they were of course in tune (which I think probably sets them apart from every other quartet I've heard at a wedding). They also had a beautiful and strong sound, and were tight and together and very musical. We had several professional musicians as guests, and they were all kind of shocked and totally impressed at how good the quartet was. Indeed, some sat down by the quartet to listen instead of mingling! I really cannot overstate how surprised and pleased we were by how good this quartet is.

As for the logistics and so forth, they were also beyond reproach. Kyung was very very responsive, frequently writing back within minutes. We had a very long and extended exchange about the repertoire, with my sending suggestions and even pdfs of sheet music, and she was patient and responsive, letting me set the play list I wanted, but also offering her judgment about things that wouldn't work. (A couple of the arrangement I sent, for example, she thought weren't good, which I'm sure was the correct judgment.) That said, for someone who wanted to be less involved in the details of the music, I'm sure the quartet could just take care of it -- they have a great repertoire. I left to their discretion the order in which they'd play the various pieces, and I think they did a great job mixing things up appropriately, and avoiding any jarring transitions. They were also incredibly professional when they got there -- on time (appropriately early), and looked great.

For all of this, they are an absolute bargain. I cannot recommend them highly enough. If there were 10 stars that's what they'd get.