MUSIC

The Tokyo String Quartet opens the Houston Friends of Music 2009-2010 season on Tuesday, September 15 at 8 p.m. in Stude Concert Hall at the Shepherd School of Music, 6100 Main Street on the Rice University campus.

The Grammy-acclaimed Tokyo String Quartet has captivated audiences and critics alike since it was founded in 1969 at the Julliard School of Music. The group - Martin Beaver and Kikuei Ikeda (violins), Kazuhide Isomura (viola) and Clive Greensmith (cello), has collaborated with a remarkable array of artists and composers, built a comprehensive catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings and established a distinguished teaching record.

As noted in the Houston Chronicle, “The audience heard the first-class playing they expected…as the Tokyo members took beauty and skill to a different plane. The Quartet has long been one of the Friends’ favorite groups, and its first-rate performance on Tuesday should guarantee that that relationship will continue.” That relationship has continued for more than 30 years since the inaugural performance by the Tokyo with Houston Friends of Music in 1976.

Performing over a hundred concerts worldwide each season, the Quartet has a devoted international following that includes the major capitols of the world and extends to all four corners, from Australia to Estonia to Scandinavia and the Far East. The members of the Tokyo String quartet have served on the faculty of the Yale School of Music as quartet-in-residence since 1976 and continue to teach in master classes and at major festivals. The Tokyo has made more than 40 landmark recordings including the complete quartets of Beethoven, Schubert and Bartók. Their recordings of Brahms, Debussy, Dvorák, Haydn, Mozart, Ravel and Schubert have earned such honors as the Grand Prix du Disque Montreux, “Best chamber Music Recording of the Year” awards from both StereoReview and Gramophone magazines and seven Grammy nominations.

Ann Fairbanks, Houston Friends of Music President said, “You’ll feel you’re in one of the finest concert halls in the world. The acoustics, the intimate atmosphere and aesthetics of Stude Hall make it the perfect venue to experience the Tokyo String Quartet again and again.” As audience favorites and friends of Houston, the Tokyo String Quartet will once again share its stellar music with the greater Houston area.

To purchase tickets, call 713-348-5400 or visit www.HoustonFriendsofMusic.org.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Houston Friends of Music began 49 years ago for the purpose of presenting great chamber music by great performers to audiences of all generations. Each year, the Houston Friends of Music Board selects nine performing groups of artists from over 100 internationally recognized performers.

Houston Friends of Music is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Scheduled program:

Haydn Op. 76 #4
Mendelssohn No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44 #1
Beethoven No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59 #1

Photo of Tokyo String Quartet (l to r) Kazuhide Isomura, viola; Martin Beaver, violin; Kikuei Ikeda, violin; Clive Greensmith, cello. Photo credit: Christian Ducasse.