Prizes Awarded at Michigan’s $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition

The Moscow-based fusion quartet ‘Russian Renaissance’ has been awarded the US $100,000 Grand Prize at the 2017 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition

The Moscow-based fusion quartet ‘Russian Renaissance’ has been awarded the US $100,000 Grand Prize at the 2017 M-Prize Chamber Music Competition - in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.

Comprising balalaikist Ivan Kuznetsov, domra player Anastasia Zakharova, button-accordionist Aleksandr Tarasov and contro-balalaikist Ivan Vinogradov, the ensemble will receive US $100,000 - and a number of important performance opportunities.

RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE | M-PRIZE CHAMBER ARTS COMPETITION | GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

Russian Renaissance’s improv-laden repertoire included traditional Russian folk music and works by Astor Piazzolla and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Yale-based Argus Quartet were awarded the US $20,000 Senior Strings category prize.

The Chicago-based Astera String Quartet were awarded the $5,000 top prize in the Junior Strings category.

Open to ensembles of between 2 and 10 members, this year’s string jury comprised: Norman Fischer, Rodney Friend, Awadagin Pratt, Astrid Schween and Harvey de Souza.

Previous Grand Prize winners were the VC Artists Calidore String Quartet.