“All is performed with that same customary blend of high-octane virtuosity, relaxed lyricism, tonal richness and perfection of ensemble which has made the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet not merely one of the world’s leading guitar ensembles but, for sheer imagination and musicality, equal to the finest string quartet going.”

Gramophone Magazine

“with outstanding playing and infectious spirit, this is no mere niche guitar CD, but a luscious and lively general-appeal winner”

BBC Music Magazine

“if one guitar quartet can give a traditional string quartet a run for its money in terms of abundant technique and breath-taking artistry, it is the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet”

International Record Review

“This British ensemble seems incapable of playing with less than a glorious range of sound, perfect ensemble, and exquisite taste.  This is superb playing, and the music is ravishing.”

American Record Guide

Aquarelle Guitar Quartet

Mike Baker, Vasilis Bessas, James Jervis, Craig Ogden

Recognised as one of the world’s leading guitar quartets, the award-winning Aquarelle Guitar Quartet is celebrated for its captivating performances, rich tonal palette, and imaginative programming. Dynamic and innovative, the quartet has earned international acclaim for its expressive artistry and seamless ensemble work.

Formed in 1999 at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) under the guidance of Craig Ogden and Gordon Crosskey, the quartet went on to study with guitarists including Sérgio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia, and Scott Tennant. Early successes included awards from the Musicians Benevolent Fund, Tillett Trust, and Tunnell Trust, setting the stage for a distinguished career.

In 2016, the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet appeared at Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, sharing the stage with Maxim Vengerov, Debbie Wiseman, Laura Wright, and Wayne Marshall. The quartet has since performed at major UK venues including Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Bridgewater Hall, and Perth Concert Hall, as well as across Europe in Germany, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Estonia, Poland, and Ireland. Their international reach extended to Asia with their Seoul debut in 2014, followed by regular tours — most recently in South Korea in 2022.

At the heart of their artistry lies a commitment to diversity of repertoire: from early Renaissance works to contemporary commissions, AGQ brings new life to the music of composers ranging from Rossini, Albeniz and Piazzolla to Jobim, Sakamoto and Santaolalla. They have premiered works by distinguished composers including Carlos Rafael Rivera (USA), Phillip Houghton (Australia), Stephen Dodgson (UK), and Nikita Koshkin (Russia). Their collaboration with Brazilian composer Clarice Assad produced the vibrant Danças Nativas, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy® Award for Best Classical Composition.

Since signing exclusively with Chandos Records in 2009, the quartet has released six acclaimed albums — Spirit of Brazil (2009), Dances (2010), Final Cut (2012), Cuatro (2013), Aspects (2016) and Latin Connections (2025). Their debut album received five stars from BBC Music Magazine for both performance and recording, with later releases praised in the International Record Guide, American Record Guide, Classical Guitar Magazine, and Gramophone Magazine (Editor’s Choice), as well as being named Classic FM’s CD of the Week. Their recordings showcase not only their technical brilliance but also their boundary-pushing vision of what the guitar quartet medium can achieve.

Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, the AGQ is deeply committed to education. As alumni of Yehudi Menuhin’s Live Music Now scheme, they bring extensive experience to workshops and masterclasses across the UK. Each member holds teaching positions and the group regularly gives masterclasses at music conservatoires and festivals, inspiring the next generation of young guitarists and aspiring chamber musicians.

In 2023, Craig Ogden joined the quartet, marking the beginning of a vibrant new chapter. A world-renowned soloist and distinguished chamber musician, Craig brings exceptional artistry to the ensemble. The quartet is looking forward to exciting new projects, including tours of

Scotland, Ireland, and Korea. Their latest album, Latin Connections, is a vibrant exploration of South American music, released on Chandos Records in October 2025.