Concert Hall ATM, ART TOWER MITO

Mito Arts Foundation
1-6-8 Goken-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 310-0063 Japan
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Mail to: webstaff@arttowermito.or.jp
Phone: +81 -(0)29-227-8118 / Facsimile: +81 -(0)29-227-8130

Ryo Terakado
Classical Violin
Sophie Gent
Classical Violin

"Mito dell'Arco" String Quartets Toward the Future


Yoshiko Morita
Classical Viola
Hidemi Suzuki
Classical Violoncello


Going back to its roots, but using that as a springboard toward the future: that is the aptest description of the upcoming concert by the Mito dell'Arco, featuring works by Haydn, Tommasini and Beethoven.

Founded in 1999, Mito dell'Arco, Art Tower Mito's in-house original instrument quartet, will perform its 10th Concert on July 28. This time, the ensemble goes back to its roots, without welcoming any guest performer, trying its hand at a program consisting of three string quartets.

The first piece to grace the program is Joseph Haydn's witty and playful Prussian String Quartet No. 1. Haydn is considered by many to be the gfatherh of the string quartet, and this is the first time in seven years - ever since their 2nd Concert in September 2000 - that Mito dell'Arco will play this work. The finely-polished ensemble, however, will perform it with even greater depth than before, so this is a chance for the audience to hear how Mito dell'Arco has matured in the years since.

The other two pieces on the program - by Luigi Tommasini and Ludwig van Beethoven - have been selected to complement the Haydn work, since both composers studied their craft under Haydn. Luigi learned how to compose under the guiding hand of Haydn's instruction. Later, as Haydn's colleague, he served as the resident violinist for a long time at Esterhaza, the Hungarian palace of the Esterhazys. Mito dell'Arco will breathe life back into his string quartet, the true value of which seems to have been forgotten.

The next piece presented on the program, Beethoven's 5th String Quartet, demonstrates how the influence of Haydn's and Mozart's string quartets has been advanced a step forward. It represents, so to speak, a manifesto of the young Ludwig attempting to seek his own sound.

In the 10th Concert, Mito dell'Arco plays a string quartet by the mature master, Haydn, savoring it once again after a hiatus of seven years. Then, the group makes its first challenge at performing the fresh music of his disciples. Mito dell'Arco thus goes back to its roots, while making a fresh start as well.

Written by Takaki Yazawa (Chief Producer, Concert Hall ATM)

* For archived information on Mito dell'Arco's 2nd Concert, see the following:
http://www.arttowermito.or.jp/music/mda00.html



ATM's In-house Original-instrument String Quartet
Mito dell'Arco 10th Concert

July 21, 2007 (Sat) 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Venue: Concert Hall ATM, Art Tower Mito

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 51-1 Hob. III-44 (Prussian No. 1)
Luigi Tommasini (1741-1808): String Quartet in B Flat Major Ko11
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): String Quartet No. 5 in A Major Op. 18-5


Organizer: Mito Arts Foundation

Cooperation: EddyFamily

Music, just like wine, increases its flavor as it matures. In commemoration of Mito dell'Arco's 10th concert, the ATM Cafe offers a free glass of wine (or soft drink) to every member of the audience. Just present your ticket stub, either before the concert between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. on July 21, or during intermission. Please be aware that some choices may not be available if they run out.

Admission: A ¥3,000, B ¥2,000 (all seats reserved)
Seats now on sale.


About Mito dell'Arco

Japan's only string quartet using original instruments (i.e., those instruments that a composer had in mind when originally writing a piece), Mito dell'Arco is Art Tower Mito's fourth in-house group, having been founded in 1999. The name of the group comes from the Italian phrase meaning the myth (mito) of the bow (arco), and of course is a play on words, because of the similarity to the Japanese place name, Mito. Their 1st Concert in September 1999 won high praise, with a program consisting of Haydn and Mozart. Other noteworthy concerts include the 2nd Concert, featuring a revived version of the string quartet by A. Romberg, the 8th Concert and its Boccherini & Schubert program, performed together with the guest artist Emmanuel Balssa, and the 9th Concert, with Masahiro Arita, one of the world's foremost performers of the flauto traverso. High hopes are being pinned on Mito dell'Arco as the group sheds new light on the famous string quartet repertoire, from Classical to Romantic.

Classical Violin: Ryo Terakado, Sophie Gent
Classical Viola: Yoshiko Morita
Classical Violoncello: Hidemi Suzuki


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Translated by Paul T. Narum
(official names are furnished by the artists and planners themselves)

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