Aizuri Quartet Explained

The Aizuri Quartet is an American string quartet formed in 2012.[1] Known for its performance of new music as well as the traditional repertoire, it has served as the quartet-in-residence at a number of cultural organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2017–2018,[2] the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, 2015–2016,[3] and the Curtis Institute, 2014–2016.[4] Its name is taken from aizuri-e, a Japanese style of woodblock printing that is mostly blue.[5]

Members

The quartet was founded by Ayane Kozasa, viola, Karen Ouzounian, cello, and Miho Saegusa and Zoe Martin-Doike, violins. Martin-Doike departed in 2015, and was replaced by Arianna Kim.[6] With Kim's departure late in 2019, violinist Emma Frucht joined the ensemble.[7]

Awards

The Aizuri Quartet has been selected to receive the Cleveland Quartet Award for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.[8]

The Aizuri Quartet was awarded the Grand Prize First Place at the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition.[9]

In 2017, the quartet won First Place at the ninth Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and Festa.[10]

Aizuri was also awarded third place at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition.[11]

Commissioned works

Works written expressly for the Aizuri Quartet include:

Recordings

Blueprinting, New Amsterdam, 2018; nominated for a Grammy award.[15]

The Bells Bow Down: Chamber Music of Ilari Kaila, Innova, 2020.[16]

Earthdrawn Skies, 2022[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 27 December 2015. On Stage at Curtis: The Aizuri Quartet. 10 June 2020. PBS.
  2. Web site: 2017-18 Quartet in Residence: Aizuri Quartet. 10 June 2020. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  3. Web site: Aizuri Quartet: 2015-16 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence. 10 June 2020. Caramoor.
  4. Web site: Barker. Matthew. Fall 2014. Everything Essential: How a Small Conservatory Became an Incubator for Great American Quartet Players. 10 June 2020. Overtones. 12.
  5. Web site: Albright. William. 30 January 2020. Bold Aizuri Leaps Across Eras with Quartet Ventures. 10 June 2020. Classical Voice North America: Journal of the Music Critics Association of North America.
  6. News: Jean. Grace. 10 April 2016. In Aizuri Quartet, a Natural Bond and a Captivating Performance. The Washington Post. 10 June 2020.
  7. Web site: 27 November 2019. Introducing Emma Frucht. 10 June 2020. Aizuri Quartet.
  8. News: 24 Jan 2022. Aizuri Quartet to Receive 2022 Cleveland Quartet Award. CMA News.
  9. News: 8 May 2018. Winners Named at $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition. The Strad. 10 June 2020.
  10. News: 23 May 2017. Aizuri Quartet Takes Top String Quartet Prize at Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. The Strad. 10 June 2020.
  11. Web site: 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. 10 June 2020. Wigmore Hall.
  12. News: Jurik. Andy. 8 October 2018. Aizuri Quartet's "Blueprinting" is One of the Best Contemporary Classical Debuts of the Year. PopMatters. 10 June 2020.
  13. News: Espeland. Pamela. 5 June 2019. Minnesota Humanities Center has New CEO; Aizuri Quartet returns to Sundin Hall. MinnPost. 10 June 2020.
  14. News: Hodges. Bruce. 3 May 2019. Concert review: Aizuri Quartet and Mary Bonhag (soprano). The Strad. 10 June 2020.
  15. Web site: Artist Aizuri Quartet. 1 July 2020. Recording Academy Grammy Awards.
  16. Web site: Harris. George W.. 30 March 2020. Modern Classical Moods…Aizuri Quartet and Adrienne Kim: The Bells Bow Down; Jeremy Beck: By Moonlight. 1 July 2020. Jazz Weekly.
  17. News: Huizenga . Tom . 29 June 2023 . From soil to stars, the new Aizuri Quartet album offers a space to think . NPR . 2 July 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Aizuri Quartet".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.