The Amai Quartet: Bridging Classical Music and Modern Expression with the Merita Project

Stories | March 20, 2025

The tale of the Amai Quartet is one of passion, collaboration, and a shared dream to make classical music accessible to the contemporary listener. As they continue to forge their identity, the Merita Project experience has provided them with a platform for not only sharing their love of music, but also their commitment to changing the way people come to experience it. The project, which has been part-financed by the European Union, has witnessed the quartet finding new and creative methods of engaging their audiences, all the while holding fast to their artistic ideals.

A Dream Fulfilled Despite Challenges

The story of the Amai Quartet began with a dream that they have nurtured since they were children. Weronika Izert, viola, recalls her quartet dream since the age of 13, and the sense of fulfillment she felt when Chiara Siciliano, second violin, approached her to start one in 2020. It was particularly difficult, as the world was once more in lockdown, but the need to create something beautiful during a time of uncertainty compelled them. The formation of the quartet was the beginning of a journey that was not without its difficulties, from auditions to unexpected victories. But it was also the beginning of an artistic journey that would lead them to new heights as musicians.

“I’ve always dreamed of being in a quartet since I was, I don’t know, 13. I’ve always listened to quartet music and it was really, really my dream,” Weronika shared, reflecting on the passion that has driven her musical journey.

Photo: Amai Quartet, https://ledimoredelquartetto.eu/portfolio/amai-quartet-austria/

Creating a Unique Musical Voice

What sets the Amai Quartet apart is their spontaneous approach to music. They emphasize the desire to speak to their audience, to have a conversation through their performance. Their concerts are less about perfection than about the feelings that are evoked by the music in the moment. The quartet is renowned for altering their interpretations on stage, led by the mood and the emotions that they are feeling during their performance. This live energy is at the heart of what makes their music move audiences. Another strength of the group is their versatility – they are not merely musicians but also storytellers, and they use music, dance, and even theater to convey their art.
“We are not, I would say, one of those quartets which are really perfect in concerts, like everything is totally rehearsed in the details,” Anna Tonini-Bossi (violoncello) said. “We live the moment. We just, we can’t help sometimes. it’s really the environment or we feel certain emotion on the spot and we just change a little bit our interpretation.”

The Merita Project: A Perfect Fit

The Merita Project came at the perfect time for the Amai Quartet. Their very own vision happens to coincide with that of the project: to breathe new life into classical music and expose it to a wider, younger audience. Being a young quartet, they knew firsthand the challenge of obtaining new listeners who may perceive classical music as stuffy or daunting. Merita provided them with the tools and guidance to bring their ideas to life, allowing them to create a performance that integrates contemporary music into traditional forms in new and innovative ways.
“I think what makes this quartet special is that, first of all, we love what we do. Music is really the center of everything we do in different ways,” Chiara said, speaking about the group’s deep love for their work.
Developing the project with their mentors allowed them to refine their idea, crafting their concepts into a cohesive and engaging performance. The feedback they received from their mentors was invaluable – allowing them to understand what would fly with young audiences and guiding them through the process of creating a performance that speaks not just to music lovers but to anyone looking for a great experience.

Bringing Classical Music to Life for the Next Generation

Among the recurring motifs of the Amai Quartet’s performance in the Merita Project is the theme of classical music as a living, breathing entity. To them, classical music needs to be seen as something relevant to today’s world—a means of narrative, emotion, and connection. Their concerts aim to shatter the stereotype of classical music as “boring” or “stuffy” but instead can be dynamic, engaging, and alive.
This Merita project would actually allow us to develop this idea and create our own project and receive the backing for it,” Murasaki Fukuda first violin, stated. “It was so hard, being a young ensemble in general, to get people to realize that what we’re doing is valid and that we need the help of others.”.
The quartet’s first performance in Abrumé was met with rave reviews, and those in the audience felt as though they had been transported to an enchanted land of emotion and sound. Such a response reaffirmed the quartet’s belief in their mission and cemented the reality that their brand of classical music is not just unique but powerful.

Looking to the Future: Keeping the Magic Alive

For the Amai Quartet, the future is to keep breaking new ground while staying true to their roots. They hope to touch people everywhere by making classical music sound near and familiar. The quartet’s journey with the Merita Project has only just begun, and yet they are already thinking about how to continue to grow, to innovate, and to make music that reaches out to people of any age. Their story is an inspiration to any artist who wishes to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, and to show that music—like life—is in a constant state of evolution.
“The most powerful moment during our residency was for me at least the final of our performance. When we actually realized that the audience were happy and they got what we did on the stage, it was really like a crown of this moment,”Chiara said, speaking about the success of their play.
In conclusion, the Amai Quartet’s involvement in the Merita Project is a reflection of the power of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation in classical music. It is their commitment to storytelling in music and their passion for connecting with people on a deeper level that makes their performances so unique. The Merita Project has been the perfect platform for them to continue on this trajectory, and we cannot wait to see where their music will take them next.
Be on the lookout for upcoming updates and performances of the Amai Quartet, and join them on their mission to resuscitate the magic of classical music.