Aizuri Quartet 2015-16 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence

Our newest Quartet-in-Residence was introduced to us by way of two of its members, Ayane Kozasa and Karen Ouzounian, alumnae of our Evnin Rising Star program. Formed in 2012, the quartet is currently in residence at the Curtis Institute of Music and served as resident ensemble of the 2014 Ravinia Festival’s Stearns Music Institute.

The Aizuri, who derive their name from “aizuri-e”, the Japanese art of indigo woodblock printing, are committed to performing works throughout the string quartet literature, from the great standard works to innovative, experimental and genre-defying pieces. As members of the close-knit Caramoor family, we are thrilled to be welcoming these women (back) to Caramoor!

Mozart  String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575
Berg  String Quartet, Op. 3
Sibelius String Quartet ‘Voces Intimae,’ Op. 56

One extremely promising string quartet is chosen each year to complete a year-long residency at Caramoor. This group lends their time and talents to Caramoor’s Student Strings program in the secondary schools with a classroom-based program of concerts, conversations, and performance clinics. The Ernst Stiefel Quartet-in-Residence performs at Caramoor throughout their residency, enabling the public to experience these exciting, young players in an intimate setting.  The Aizuri is the 16th Ernst Stiefel Quartet-in-Residence at Caramoor.  They will be visiting schools as music mentors in the fall and spring, and performing concerts at Caramoor in the fall, spring, and summer.