The Winner of 2024 Edition

_{QUARTET KAIRI, winners of 2024 Edition}

The Quartet KAIRI is a versatile ensemble currently based in Salzburg and first established in Tokyo in 2015.

Their artistic vision is anchored in the belief that traditional values can coexist with modernism and adaptability to various and ever-changing stylistic approaches.
Their commitment to music and a constant drive for discovery and innovation are the main pillars of their artistry.

They began their musical journey as an ensemble at the Tokyo College of Music under the mentorship of Professor Saiko Azuma. In winter of 2023, Chinese violist Jiliang Shi joined the Quartet consisting of Taiga Sasaki (violin), Yu Mita (violin),and Hotaka Sakai (cello).Ever since then they have been studying under Professor Rainer Schmidt (Hagen Quartet) and Professor Cibrán Sierra Vázquez (Quiroga Quartet) at the Mozarteum University.

Apart from performing in traditional setting, they participated in numerous innovative projects such as collaborations with ballet and jazz dancers, as well as performing to a silent film.

In 2024, the Quartet KAIRI was invited to collaborate with the Salzburg Marionette Theatre during the “Mozartwoche” Music Festival. Additionally they were also part of the Fuji Mountain Music Festival in 2019, where they shared the stage with a renowned clarinettist Peter Schmidl (Former Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmoniker).

In 2017, the Quartet KAIRI received second prize (first prize not awarded) at the Japan Classical Music Competition in Tokyo. In 2024, they were also awarded the 1st prize at the Premio Annarosa Taddei International Competition in Rome.

Since 2023, the ensamble have been generously supported by the Meigakudō Music Foundation in Japan.
The word “Kairi" (Japanese) can be translated as a sea mile. It represents their strong will to cross human and musical boundaries of the sea and land in order to make music accessible to everyone despite of one’s background.
They strongly believe in the universality music and its language that can be “spoken” and understood by each and every one of us.