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]
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]
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]
Works written expressly for the Aizuri Quartet include:
Blueprinting, New Amsterdam, 2018;[12] nominated for a Grammy award.[15]
The Bells Bow Down: Chamber Music of Ilari Kaila, Innova, 2020.[16]
General |
|
---|---|
National libraries |