Aizuri Quartet

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗

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.[1] 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;[12] nominated for a Grammy award.[15]

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

Earthdrawn Skies, 2022[17]

References

  1. "On Stage at Curtis: The Aizuri Quartet". PBS. December 27, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. "2017-18 Quartet in Residence: Aizuri Quartet". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. "Aizuri Quartet: 2015-16 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence". Caramoor. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  4. Barker, Matthew (Fall 2014). "Everything Essential: How a Small Conservatory Became an Incubator for Great American Quartet Players" (PDF). Overtones. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 25, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  5. Albright, William (January 30, 2020). "Bold Aizuri Leaps Across Eras with Quartet Ventures". Classical Voice North America: Journal of the Music Critics Association of North America. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  6. Jean, Grace (April 10, 2016). "In Aizuri Quartet, a Natural Bond and a Captivating Performance". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  7. "Introducing Emma Frucht". Aizuri Quartet. November 27, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  8. "Aizuri Quartet to Receive 2022 Cleveland Quartet Award". CMA News. January 24, 2022.
  9. "Winners Named at $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition". The Strad. May 8, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  10. "Aizuri Quartet Takes Top String Quartet Prize at Osaka International Chamber Music Competition". The Strad. May 23, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  11. "2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition". Wigmore Hall. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  12. Jurik, Andy (October 8, 2018). "Aizuri Quartet's "Blueprinting" is One of the Best Contemporary Classical Debuts of the Year". PopMatters. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  13. Espeland, Pamela (June 5, 2019). "Minnesota Humanities Center has New CEO; Aizuri Quartet returns to Sundin Hall". MinnPost. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. Hodges, Bruce (May 3, 2019). "Concert review: Aizuri Quartet and Mary Bonhag (soprano)". The Strad. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  15. "Artist Aizuri Quartet". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  16. Harris, George W. (March 30, 2020). "Modern Classical Moods…Aizuri Quartet and Adrienne Kim: The Bells Bow Down; Jeremy Beck: By Moonlight". Jazz Weekly. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  17. Huizenga, Tom (June 29, 2023). "From soil to stars, the new Aizuri Quartet album offers a space to think". NPR. Retrieved July 2, 2023.