Cerulean Fire

Margaret Humphrey & Asako Hirabayashi 

Virtuoso violinist Margaret Humphrey and award winning composer and harpsichordist Asako Hirabayashi share their newest endeavor, Cerulean Fire, along with frequent guests, in a format devoted to new and old music in creative juxtaposition. They carry forward their vision of creating compelling programs that include guest artists specializing in a variety of music genres. 

Our mission is to provide the highest quality of music and increase the general publics' awareness and appreciation of concerts with historical instruments, through making our music available and accessible for everyone. We do this by advancing contemporary repertoire using baroque instruments, to make our performances more diverse through collaborating with Jazz, Latin, Japanese and other ethnic musicians and dancers, to remove boundaries between classical and non-classical music, and draw more audiences from all walks of life. 

Testimonial

What a magnificent concert!! I loved the selections of the music and the variety of styles and instruments....Your outstanding musicianship came through in the arrangements as well. I was also very excited to see the kids dancing with the “live band”!! 

Marina Liadova ( conductor and music educator) 

The 40th Anniversary Concert was a wonderful success for JASM and for the Japan related Community. There was an excellent turnout for truly outstanding performance by the talented musicians such as Margaret Humphrey under the leadership of Asako.

J.Bernard van Lierop ( executive director of Japan American society of Minnesota)

Boy, that was great! Wish I had a recording of it. Hirabayashi's arrangements are so novel. Best arrangement ever of Kojo no Tsuki. That is a favorite of mine, and I must have at least five recordings of it.....

Terry Davis ( scientist retired from 3M, Minnesota Bonsai Society)

Thanks for the wonderful evening! You will never know how much we appreciated. Japan is my mother country and enjoy what she offers to us very much. I am back to Japan every eary to enjoy, but it is with all new perspective to see and hear the music and the culture here in Minnesota. 

K. Tony Taniguchi ( professional interpreter )