Videri String Quartet
Videri String Quartet
vi•de•ri \vi-ˈdā-rē\ vb [Lat.]
1 : To be seen
2 : To see and understand
3 : A classically trained string quartet with a focus on performing
video game music
Founded in 2012, the Videri String Quartet is a revolutionary ensemble dedicated to performing the music of video games. A pioneer in both the video game and classical music communities, Videri is committed to reinventing the string quartet experience for the modern listener. The quartet utilizes a unique hybrid of aural and visual narratives, often performing standard quartet repertoire, such as Haydn or Janáček, alongside music from well known video games, such as Halo and BioShock. Videri seeks to explore the ways in which video game music impacts its listeners, discover the parallels between traditional classical music and video game music, celebrate the dynamic link between music and storytelling, and to use video game music as a means of expression for children and young adults.
Videri is passionate about performing the music of video games, compositions that can easily contend with their counterparts in film and contemporary music in terms of expressivity, nuance, and color. In their mission to promote video game music, Videri has performed their unique repertoire across the country in a variety of venues. In July 2012, Videri made its performance debut at the Rooster Teeth convention in Austin, Texas, where they opened for the Jeff Williams’ Freelance Orchestra. Since then, notable performances have included the Boston Festival of Indie Games, IndieCade in Los Angeles, the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Pre-Concert Event at the Nintendo World Store in New York City, the Game Developers Conference and Game Audio Network Guild Awards in San Francisco, the Showa Boston Institute for Language & Culture, and the Japan Festival in Boston. In summer 2015, Videri was chosen as a Fellowship Quartet for the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. There they were coached by Apple Hill Director, Leonard Matczynski, and performed a concert of Haydn’s Quartet op. 20, no. 4 and video game compositions to hearty ovations. Many audience members, upon hearing video game music for the first time, were amazed by its creativity and expressive power.
In addition to performing, the Videri String Quartet is a highly desired recording ensemble, and has been featured on video game soundtracks such as Arigami, The Magic Circle, Beat Sports, and Neocolonialism, as well as compilation albums including Materia: Final Fantasy VII Remixed, The String Arcade, and Chronicles of Time. In July 2012, the quartet was featured in the companion soundtrack of the video game “Monaco,” composed by Grammy Award nominee Austin Wintory, and was commissioned by Blizzard Entertainment to arrange two pieces for the Gamescom Convention in Germany.
Based in Boston, Videri enthusiastically applies its talent by working with members of the local community. The quartet has volunteered performances at schools such as the Coolidge Corner Middle School in Brookline, the El Sistema summer camp at the Longy School of Music, the Bigelow Cooperative Daycare, and the Match Charter School in Jamaica Plains, as well as cultural events such as the Japanese Festival in Boston and the Showa Coming of Age ceremony. Videri also shared its experiences with music students interested in entering the video game music industry through a lecture at the Berklee College of Music about “The Business of a String Quartet.” Videri String Quartet has been invited to perform a concert and hold a chamber music master class at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA in March 2016.
On September 18, 2013 the Videri String Quartet released Portals, its first album featuring music from Mario, Journey, Final Fantasy, and other beloved games. Videri is currently working on recording another CD that will contain new video game arrangements as well as standard quartet repertoire.
Photo by Corey Nichols
video game music // string quartet style