Chamber musicians

 

Centrum’s 2008 Chamber Music Festival in Port Townsend, Wash. was another world-class event by the nonprofit arts organization. The “headliner,” as it were, was the Tokyo String Quartet playing on the priceless Paganini Quartet – two violins, a viola, and a cello all made by Stradivari. It’s a real treat to hear these instruments played, especially by such talented performers. It’s also worth noting that the Tokyo String Quartet is comprised of some of the most easy-going, down-to-earth musicians you could ever meet: Martin Beaver (first violin), Kikeuei Ikeda (second violin), Clive Greensmith (cello) and Kazuhide Isomura (viola).

Also appearing this year was the Attacca Quartet. Recently graduated from the Julliard School of Music, Amy Schroeder (first violin), Keiko Tokunaga (second violin), Andrew Yee (cello) and Gillian Gallagher (viola) are very impressive. And like the Tokyo String Quartet, they’re nice people and not at all distracted by their talents.

And the students who participated in this event were great, too. Many came some distance to be here, and they sure can play.

Story and photos by Barney Burke

Kikeuei Ikeda (left) and Clive Greensmith of the Tokyo String Quartet rehearse on their Stradivari instruments at Centrum’s Chamber Music Festival in Port Townsend in June 2008.

Previous page               BurkeDigitalPix.com               Next page    

Oliver Aldort, 14, of the San Juan Islands thrilled the crowd with his virtuosity. At right is the talented Dickson Quartet from Vancouver, Wash. That’s Brandon Dickson (first violin, back to camera), Ashley Dickson (second violin), Daniel Dickson (cello) and Benjamin Dickson (viola); they have six more musical siblings at home.

Geoffrey Yeh plays the violin in Wheeler Auditorium at Fort Worden State Park. For more information on Centrum’s cultural programs and events, go to Centrum.org.

Enough rehearsing! The Attacca Quartet gets dressed up and wows the crowd at Wheeler Auditorium. From left are Amy Schroeder (first violin), Keiko Tokunaga (second violin), Andrew Yee (cello) and Gillian Gallagher (viola).

Violinists Amy Schroeder (first violin) and Keiko Tokunaga (second violin) of the Attacca Quartet rehearse while the Tokyo String Quartet coaches them.

Martin Beaver and Kikeuei Ikeda rehearse on their Stradavari violins. At right, Clive Greensmith of the Tokyo String Quartet gives a few pointers to fellow cellist Andrew Yee of the Attacca Quartet.

With their bows up in the air are Tokyo String Quartet members (from left) Martin Beaver (first violin), Kikeuei Ikeda (second violin), Clive Greensmith (cello) and Kazuhide Isomura (viola). At right, Kazuhide Isomura teaches students at Centrum’s Chamber Music Festival.

Here’s the Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County. This photo is available as a 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. More information on the chorus is available at http://ptchorus.org/.