VC Artist Aizuri Quartet Presents "AizuriKids"

This interactive web series for children uses the string quartet as a catalyst for creative learning

"Which animal is your favorite: an octopus, an armadillo, a hippopotamus, or a yellow mountain lion?"

In this first episode, VC Artist Aizuri Quartet introduces the bouncy and zany music of Conlon Nancarrow by transforming each instrument into one of these animals.

Check out the activity sheet here: https://bit.ly/3itXSTh

"At the beginning of the pandemic, we wanted to find a way to keep connecting with younger audiences through an online platform," the quartet told The Violin Channel. "We realized that a lot of our in-person youth engagement activities translated well into the digital realm. Creating these episodes became a vital part of quartet life and helped us stay in touch with each other while we navigated time apart, in our own apartments.

"The Aizuri Quartet believe in an integrative approach to music-making, in which teaching, performing, writing, arranging, curating, and nurturing ties with the community are all connected," they continued. "The episodes explore the relationships between music and a broad range of themes like astrophysics, American history, and cooking. It has also become a way for us to feature some of our favorite composers and guest artists as well as their music."

Aizuri Quartet:

Emma Frucht & Miho Saegusa, violins

Ayane Kozasa, viola

Karen Ouzounian, cello

Music:

Komitas Vartabed: Kaqavik (Partridge Song)

Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 131

Paul Wiancko: Sanguine Clockwork

Conlon Nancarrow: String Quartet No. 3

Season 2 is made possible in partnership with Salon de Virtuosi by the New York State Council on the Arts — with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council — and a generous grant from the Alphadyne Foundation.