Aizuri Quartet Awarded $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize

The New York-based Aizuri String Quartet has been awarded the US $100,000 Grand Prize at the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition

The New York-based Aizuri Quartet has been awarded the US $100,000 Grand Prize at the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition – in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.

Comprising violinists Ariana Kim and Miho Saegusa, violist Ayane Kozasa and cellist Karen Ouzounian, the ensemble will receive US $100,000 – plus management on the Concert Artists Guild roster, a number of important performance opportunities plus a recording with Azica Records label.

AIZURI QUARTET | 2018 M-PRIZE CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION | GRAND PRIZE

2nd and 3rd prizes in the Senior Strings category were awarded to the VC Artists Verona Quartet and the Vera Quartet.

Currently the String Quartet-in-Residence at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Aizuri Quartet is a former major prize-winner at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition.

The Chicago-based Kairos Quartet was awarded the US $5,000 1st prize in the Junior Strings category.

Open to ensembles of between 2 and 10 members, this year's string jury comprised: Andrew Jennings, Joseph Kalichstein, Yeesun Kim, Chi-chi Nwanoku and Masumi Per Rostad. 

Previous 1st prize winners include VC Artists Calidore String Quartet - and the Moscow-based fusion quartet Russian Renaissance. 

PICTURED: 2018 M-PRIZE GRAND PRIZE & SENIOR STRINGS WINNER, AIZURI QUARTET