Named “one of the eminent string quartets of our era” by Classical Voice, the Grammy-nominated Ensō String Quartet has risen to the front rank of chamber music performers. Founded at Yale University in 1999, the quartet has been described by Strad magazine as “thrilling,” and praised by the Washington Post for its “glorious sonorities.” The quartet quickly went on to win numerous awards, including top prizes at the Concert Artist Guild competition and the Banff International String Quartet competition. Derived from the Japanese zen painting of the circle, enso represents many things: perfection and imperfection, the moment of chaos that is creation, the emptiness of the void, the endless circle of life, and the fullness of the spirit. Program Alberto Ginastera: String Quartet No. 2; Giacomo Puccini: Crisantemi; Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F Major; Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade ArtTalk Pre-performance ArtTalk at The Loft at 7 pm