Internationally celebrated as one of the leading composers of his generation, John Corigliano has received global acclaim for his highly expressive and compelling compositions as well as his kaleidoscopic, ever-expanding technique. On Feb. 22, the Pulitzer-, Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer discussed his career during the Wittenberg Series and Wittenberg Guild-cosponsored event in Weaver Chapel. A concert featuring the Corigliano Quartet followed the presentation.

Founded in 1996 with Corigliano’s encouragement, the quartet, which features Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin, Sujean Kim, violin, Melia Watras, viola, and Jeffrey Zeigler, cello, has been hailed as one of the most dynamic young string quartets in the United States. The first ensemble from the Indiana University School of Music to win the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize, the quartet has appeared in many of the nation’s leading venues and has held residences at Juilliard, among other colleges.

The New York Times called the members “musicians who seem to say, ‘Listen to This!’,” while the Baltimore Sun enjoyed the quartet’s “profound beauty” and “riveting power.”

Dedicated to presenting new American music in tandem with the standard repertoire, the quartet performed the “Quartet for Strings” (1995) during the concert as well as number of contemporary classical pieces.