Violin

　

 Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Toru Yasunaga studied under Toshiya Eto and graduated from the University of Toho Gakuen School of Music in 1974. While studying at the university, Mr. Yasunaga won the First Prize at the 40th Music Competition of Japan in 1971. In 1975, Mr. Yasunaga entered the Hochschule der Künste Berlin and studied under Michel Schwalbé.

　

 In 1977, Mr. Yasunaga joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as a first violinist and in 1983, he was appointed as the first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

　

 Mr. Yasunaga has also performed regularly in Japan, Australia and throughout Europe both as soloist and as the leader of the Philharmonic String Soloists, Berlin. Since 1985, Mr. Yasunaga has been actively performing duo with his wife Ayumi Ichino (piano), receiving high acclaims throughout the world.

　

Instrument used : Stradivarius 1702 "Lord Newlands" violin

　

Piano

　

 Ayumi Ichino began to study piano at the age of five and studied under K.Yasukawa, H.Tamura, R.Takeo, T.Karashima and Y.Karashima in Japan. In 1973, Ms. Ichino graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and received the Ataka Prize while studying at the University.

　

 From 1977 to 1987, Ms. Ichino studied under P.Balbizet at Conservatory in Marseilles, France, and in 1978 she won a prize at the Concours International of Maria Canals in Spain. Ms. Ichino studied under K.Schilde and K.Hellwig at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin from 1978 to 1983.

　

 In 1986, Ms. Ichino passed the concert examination at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin with the highest marks and from 1982 studied under M.Curcio, G.Sebock and A.Webersinke at various seminars. Ms. Ichino taught at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin during 1991-1996 and currently performs in many concerts as a soloist and a chamber musician.

　

　

1st violin

　

2nd violin

　

viola

　

cello

　

 The Tokyo String Quartet has captivated audiences and critics alike since it was founded more than thirty years ago. Regarded as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Quartet is comprised of violist Kazuhide Isomura a founding member of the group, second violinist Kikuei Ikeda who joined the ensemble in 1974, cellist Clive Greensmith formerly Principal Cellist of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who joined in 1999, and first violinist Martin Beaver who joined the ensemble in 2002.

　

 Officially formed in 1969 at The Juilliard School, the Tokyo String Quartet traces its origins to the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where the founding members were profoundly influenced by Professor Hideo Saito. Instilled with a deep commitment to chamber music, the original members of what would become the Tokyo String Quartet eventually moved to America for further study with Robert Mann, Raphael Hillyer and Claus Adam. Soon after its creation, the Quartet won the first prize at the Coleman Competition (USA), the Munich Competition (Germany) and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions (USA). An exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon firmly established the group as one of the world's leading quartets.

　

 Deeply committed to teaching young string quartets, the members of the Tokyo String Quartet have served on the faculty of the Yale School of Music since 1976 as quartet-in-residence.

　

 A CD recording featuring the last three Mozart string quartets is scheduled for a release in 2005 under Biddulph Recordings.

　

Instruments used : Stradivarius "Paganini Quartet"