Role

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Ensemble

 

The Enso Quartet is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999. The quartet is made up of four members: Maureen Nelson (violin), Ken Hamao (violin), Melissa Reardon (viola), and Richard Belcher (cello). The ensemble has gained a reputation for their dynamic performances and innovative programming. The Enso Quartet was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, where the members were studying at the Yale School of Music. The quartet takes its name from the Japanese word "enso," which means circle or cycle. The name reflects the quartet's commitment to exploring the cyclical nature of music and the connections between different musical works. The Enso Quartet has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Wigmore Hall in London. They have also performed at major music festivals, such as the Ravinia Festival, the Caramoor Festival, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. One of the Enso Quartet's most notable performances was their debut at Carnegie Hall in 2005. The quartet performed a program of works by Beethoven, Bartok, and Schumann to critical acclaim. The New York Times praised the quartet's "impressive technical command and musical insight." The Enso Quartet has also collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians, including pianist Menahem Pressler and cellist David Finckel. In 2010, the quartet collaborated with the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth on a performance of the Pulitzer Prize-winning work "Partita for 8 Voices" by composer Caroline Shaw. The Enso Quartet has received numerous awards and accolades throughout their career. In 2006, they were awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians. The quartet has also been awarded the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming and the CMAcclaim Award. In addition to their performances, the Enso Quartet is committed to music education and outreach. They have worked with students at schools and universities across the United States, and have also conducted masterclasses and workshops in Europe and Asia. The Enso Quartet has recorded several albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of the complete string quartets of Alberto Ginastera. Their recording of the quartets of Bela Bartok was also highly praised, with Gramophone magazine calling it "a performance of great intensity and insight." Overall, the Enso Quartet has established itself as one of the leading classical music ensembles of its generation. With their innovative programming, dynamic performances, and commitment to music education, the quartet has earned a loyal following and critical acclaim.

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