AZG Armenian Daily #121, 01/07/2005
Culture
‘WE KNOW LITTLE ABOUT ARMENIA BUT WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE’
Tokyo String Quartet in Armenia
Famous Tokyo String Quartet to perform in Yerevan on the sidelines
of the Prospects of the 21st Century music festival arrived in
Armenia yesterday. President of Musical Informational Center, Stepan
Rostomian, said that the single concert of this remarkable ensemble
of classical music on July 1 is part of cultural policy.
Kikuei Ikeda, second violin of the quartet, said that he was excited
to receive the invitation for the festival two years ago. “This
is a very interesting country, with rich culture that has great
contribution to the world culture in general. Though we know little
about Armenia, we would like to learn more”, he said. Cellist of the
band, Clive Greensmith, presented the history of the quartet in brief,
“We all were from one music school in Tokyo and decide to unite in a
quartet in 1969”. Sharing with their repertoire, the musicians said,
“Classical music, beginning from Debussy, was the brand of the quartet
but now we play modern music as well”.
The renowned quartet is recording today Beethoven, Mozart and is
preparing to record the works of the second beloved composer of the
band — Franz Schubert.
Members of Tokyo Quartet said that they new “a few good Armenian
musicians” and are well acquainted with Khachatrian and Komitas
Quartet.
During its short stay in Armenian capital, Tokyo String Quartet will
meet Yerevan mayor and minister of culture. No meeting with composers
and musicians is scheduled.
By Gohar Gevorgian