Hearth

Album information

MIRÓ PRESENTS FESTIVE, MUSICAL GIFTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The Miró Quartet invites you to gather around the warmth of the holiday Hearth—a deeply personal and joy-filled album that celebrates the spirit of the season through the voices of today’s most compelling composers. Whether your traditions include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply quiet reflection by the fire, this album captures the essence of holidays as a time of connection, memory, and hope.

Featuring works by composers such as Anna Clyne, Clarice Assad, Gabriel Kahane, Reena Esmail, and Paola Prestini, each piece is a musical keepsake—an imaginative reworking of a holiday tune chosen by the composer and infused with personal meaning. From Renaissance hymns to familiar carols like Jingle Bells, and from West African rhythms to tender string lyricism, this vibrant collection reflects the rich diversity of how we celebrate, remember, and come together.

Hearth follows the Miró Quartet’s acclaimed PENTATONE release Ginastera String Quartets (2025), honoured as a Gramophone Editor’s Choice, one of The New York Times’ ‘5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now,’ and recipient of Pizzicato’s Supersonic distinction. Also available are the GRAMMY-nominated Home (2024) and Beethoven Complete String Quartets (2021). With this release, we are proud to share these musical stories – each one a gift, wrapped in sound, from our hearts to yours.

Released physically on standard CD.

REVIEWS:

Sonograma: “The interpretation is of impeccable precision, but what really impresses is the human warmth of the sound. Ching and Fedkenheuer maintain a dialogue of great complicity, balancing brilliance and restraint; Largess provides a velvety and expressive tone that acts as an emotional axis, and Gindele rounds off the ensemble with a deep, almost vocal register, which gives body and gravity to each phrase.”

Classical Music Sentinel: “All in all a highly welcome addition to the Christmas canon, performed with festive candor by the members of the Miró Quartet, which ties a fresh decorative ribbon around old standards.”

Violinist.com: “While I may be Grinch-ishly inclined to wear earplugs to avoid most holiday music this time of year – I actually listened to this album all the way through for more than a straight hour, and it truly has added to my holiday cheer.”

The Strad – Interview with Miró Quartet

Cultural Attache: “Miró Quartet commissioned fifteen composers. The work of these fifteen composers along with Miró Quartet’s excellent playing, means Hearth melted my heart.”

Pizzicato – Four stars: “The pieces are excellently played and enriched with many thought-provoking elements.”

BBC Music Magazine: Holiday round-up and Five-star review: “The playing is superbly fresh and communicative.”

Gewandhausradio: “A welcome addition to the Christmas catalog for all those who have already loved their Thomanerchor recording to death and simply can’t stand to hear “Last Christmas” and similar songs anymore.”

MusicWeb International: “The cardboard casing, featuring a wintry night and a country cottage, is beautifully designed by Marjolein Coenrady. If you are seeking music for the holiday season which is a little different, you need look no further.”