azmari quartet

Prize winners at the 2006 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and semifinalists in the TROMP International String Quartet Competition held in the Netherlands, the Azmari Quartet’s performances have been described by the Cincinnati Enquirer as having, “relentless energy and superb intonation.” Formed in 2003, they currently serve as the Corbett String Quartet-in-Residence at Northern Kentucky University. While maintaining an active concert calendar, its members both teach the collegiate string students as well as coach all chamber music ensembles at NKU.As the quartet embarks upon the 2007-8 season it welcomes Julie Fischer and Hugo Bollschweiler, both spectacular players and teachers. All alumni of the Yellow Barn Music Festival, the Azmari Quartet members bring to the stage of wealth of performance experience. Last season included performances on the Linton Chamber Music Series, Northern Kentucky University’s Azmari Quartet Series and the University of Dayton’s Arts Series. These performances involved collaborations with Sergei Polusmiak, Anthony McGill, John Aler and principal players of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Additional performances have featured members of the Jupiter Quartet, the Fry Street Quartet, renowned bandaneon artist Coco Trevissimo, Marc Johnson of the Vermeer Quartet and James Tocco.The quartet recently garnered rave reviews from the Austin Chronicle as the summer of 2007 brought the Azmari Quartet to the Austin Chamber Music Festival, joining a roster that included the Beaux Arts Trio. Previous summers has included performances at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and the Gros Morne Summer Music festival in Newfoundland, Canada where they served as Artists-in-Residence. The quartet has participated in numerous summer festivals including: the Aspen Music Festival, the Takacs Quartet seminar, the Juilliard Quartet Seminar and Soundfest with the Colorado Quartet. Members of the Azmari Quartet are past participants at numerous festivals- among them are the Perlman Chamber Music Program, Yellow Barn Music School and Festival, Taos School of Music, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, the Quartet Program at Bucknell, and Madeline Island Music Festival. Prior to joining the faculty at NKU, the quartet studied with the Vermeer Quartet as the Graduate Quartet-in-Residence at Northern Illinois University. While in Chicago, the Azmari Quartet performed throughout the city, presenting concerts of traditional repertoire and collaborating in the presentation of new works with organizations such as CUBE and Northeastern Illinois University. A commitment to community outreach began while the quartet was still in Chicago. Through the International Music Foundation the quartet presented educational concerts in the Chicago public school system. While in Aspen in the summer of 2005, the Azmari Quartet presented a number of educational programs in association with Deborah Barnekow, the festival’s director of educational outreach. The quartet will continue its involvement with Michael Chertock and the Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions presented by the Linton Series in the 2007-2008 season. In addition, the Azmari Quartet is dedicated to the growth of string playing in both the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati communities. They will be working privately with students throughout the Cincinnati-metro area as well as presenting a plethora of concerts and presentations exposing children of all ages to the craft of chamber music. This mission, to highlight the art of chamber music, culminates each season in the Norse Festival. The Azmari Quartet serves as Artistic Directors of the one week chamber music festival at Northern Kentucky University. The festival involves chamber music coaching and performance of the highest level, eurhythmics instruction as well as orchestral playing. The name Azmari is derived from Aramaic and can be translated as ‘to sing.’ The term Azmari was also used in Ethiopia to refer to village orators. The quartet is drawn to the notion of emulating the human voice with their instruments as well as passing along the rich tradition of chamber music. Performances will be offered via podcast this year as well as on myspace.com. Please visit www.theazmariquartet.com for more information.