A unique and versatile cello quintet, hailed as “brilliant” and “superb” by Mark Swed in the Los Angeles Times, the SAKURA Cello Quintet draws from the rich heritage of a repertoire that spans eight centuries, with a commitment to opening new vistas of beauty and expression by showcasing the great warmth and scope of five cellos. SAKURA explores great music of the past through dazzling arrangements that offer fresh perspectives on familiar notes, and continually expands the five-cello repertoire into the future by commissioning new works. In the tradition of the great chamber ensembles, the quintet distills its interpretations through time, reveling in the pure sonic pleasure of a unified and colorful sound. Its name honors the great mentor and artist Ralph Kirshbaum, with whom all five members studied: "sakura" (桜) (Japanese) and "Kirschbaum" (German) have the same meaning: “cherry tree”, an organism whose flowers have five petals.