Aizuri Quartet brings its exciting mix of programming for string quartet to Westfield on March 10

The Aizuri Quartet has been praised by the Washington Post as “astounding” and “captivating”. The string quartet brings its “meld of intellect, technique and emotions” to at St. Paul’s Church in Westfield on Sunday, March 10 at 5pm as part of the Steeple Concerts series. The group, founded in 2012, programs an eclectic mix of music to present the string quartet as “living art”. The program will be followed by a reception at which you will have an opportunity to meet and greet the performers. The concert will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 414 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ.

The Aizuri Quartet was named the recipient of the 2022 Cleveland Quartet Award by Chamber Music America, and has received numerous honors from the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan, and the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London.

Their albums include music ranging from the 11th-century Hildegard von Bingen to contemporary American composers. NPR praised their latest album as one that “convincingly connects the dots in wildly diverse music stretching over eight centuries…arousing solemn contemplation, cosmic curiosity, folksy delight and introspective scrutiny.” In addition to traditional chamber music venues, the quartet has appeared eclectic variety of settings: In addition to the world’s great chamber music series, Aizuri has appeared with legendary Indie Rock band Wilco on CBS’s The Tonight Show with Steven Colbert and in the Kronos Quartet’s Kronos Festival at SFJAZZ.

The Aizuri Quartet draws its name from “aizuri-e,” a style of predominantly blue Japanese woodblock printing that is noted for its vibrancy and incredible detail. You will not want to miss the opportunity to hear the quartet bring their eclectic, engaging and thought-provoking programs to Westfield.

Tickets to the concert are priced at $30 for adults and $15 for students, and are available on the Steeple Concerts website at www.steepleconcerts.org. More information about upcoming concerts in the 2023-2024 season is also available on the Steeple Concerts website. Parking for the concert is available in the St. Paul’s parking lot off Euclid Avenue or on St. Paul’s Street next to the church.

Looking ahead, our fifth season concludes on Sunday, May 19, 2024 with the annual Masterworks Concert featuring the choir of St. Paul’s Church and community with a professional orchestra. The concert is always a highlight of the season and offers an opportunity to hear major works for chorus and orchestra in a live setting.  In celebration of its 200th anniversary, this year we will present Ludwig van Beethoven’s late masterwork - the epic “Missa Solemnis.”