Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

After more than 40 years the undisputed grand masters of the string quartet now bid a graceful farewell to the concert platform. Their last programs ever for Australia include some of the pieces which cemented their stellar reputation, in performances which will touch all hearts. Playing a famous collection of Stradivarius instruments, the Tokyo String Quartet offers a polished beauty of sound matched by none, and a special insight into music which only comes through years of hard-won experience.

It will be a highly charged, emotional tour for the members of this ensemble. ‘We like to finish our careers by playing the pieces we love most,’ says Kikuei Ikeda; so the music includes Schubert’s last, great quartet and a masterpiece of late Beethoven. A Sculthorpe quartet recalls the immediate and striking response it received from Australian audiences when the Tokyos first played it. And there is Bartók’s ultimate work in this genre – ‘The way he expressed himself through music is universal, that’s why his music has such power,’ adds Kazuhide Isomura.

Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate the final performances of a landmark ensemble of our time.

Featured non-Australian music: Mozart, Schubert

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on 1800 688 482

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Tokyo String Quartet