 MEDIA RELEASE |
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MEDIA RELEASE |
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Renowned Musician Visits Centre
TODAY'S DATE: November 11, 1999
WHO: Violinist/violist David Takeno from the UK
WHAT: Music & Sound Fall Residency Program at The Banff Centre
WHEN: November 16 to 23, 1999
WHERE: Rolston Recital Hall at The Banff Centre, Policeman's Creek
Drop-in Centre in Canmore
David Takeno is a prestigious violin and viola teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at Cambridge University in London, England. For the past week and a half, he was at The Banff Centre working with musicians and composers in Music & Sound's fall residency program.
"We have always wanted to play for Mr. Takeno and this has been an amazing opportunity to receive coachings from him as well as play with him," says pianist Caroline Almonte of Australia. She and her partner, violinist Miki this past May and are at the Centre for two weeks preparing for a concert tour in Italy as winners of this competition.
"One evening he invited us to read through some chamber music with him. It was so exciting to work with him on a similar level, as a colleague rather than as a student. That's one of the unique things that happens here at Banff all the time," says Tsunoda enthusiastically.
Born in Tokyo, David Takeno began his solo performing career at the age of eight. In 1965 he was a founding member of the quartet which eventually became known as the Tokyo String Quartet. Since 1976 Mr. Takeno has devoted his time to teaching violin, viola and chamber music. Students of his has gone on to careers as concertmasters of major orchestras around the world and several are members of well-known string quartets and piano trios.
"The most unique spot on earth if you need to have time to develop yourself, with the freedom of controlling yourself, by yourself, " says Takeno regarding the Music & Sound programs at The Banff Centre.
"I had the feeling that everyone was intense in their work, eager and hungry for ideas. The energy within this small community of musicians is electric, the exchanges of thought, great support for each other and camaraderie is joyous," he adds.
"Working with Mr. Takeno opened our eyes to other possibilities with our music and technique," says program participant, violinist Andreas Anderson of the Blomme String Quartet from Sweden.
Concerts continue this week featuring musicians & composers that have worked with Mr. Takeno this past week. Tuesday, November 16 at 4:30pm in the Chamber Music Studio hear Swedish pianist Staffan Sandstrom and the Australian violin/piano duo of Miki Tsunoda and Caroline Almonte.
On Wednesday, November 17 at 12 noon in Rolston Recital Hall hear Canadian pianist Kathy Tremills perform Scarlotti Sonatas, American pianist Melody Fader perform Chopin, French violist Cyrille Mercier and Canadian pianist Dmitry Nesterov perform Bartok, as well performances Australian flutist Tina Marsden and Australian violin/piano duo of Miki Tsunoda and Caroline Almonte.
Further 4:30 concerts in the Chamber Music Studio take place on November 18 with violinist Jenny Eklund of Sweden, on November 22 with Australian flutist Tina Marsden, and on November 23 with Canadian violinist Myriam Pelletier and French violist Cyrille Mercier.
In Rolston Recital Hall on Friday, November 19 at 7:30pm hear performances by the Horus Piano Duo, Canadian cellist Nigel Edmonton-Boehm, American pianist Rachel Iwaasa, Australian flutist Tina Marsden and German violinist Silke Meyer-Eggen.
Musicians travel to Canmore on November 21 for a Sunday afternoon concert at 2:30pm at Policeman's Creek Drop-In Centre, 701 9th Street, with host Isobel Moore Rolston. This afternoon concert features performances by pianist John Hsiang Tu (Taiwan), violinist Silke-Meyer Eggen (Germany), flutist Marsha Elliott (Canada), bassoonist Melissa Mackey (USA) and cellist Nigel Edmonton-Boehm (Canada).
For more information or tickets please call The Banff Centre Box Office at 762-6301. Evening concert tickets are $12/$8, Sundays and noon hour concerts are pay-what-you-can and 4:30 concerts are free.
For more information
contact:
Lisa Ramsey, Music & Sound, Communications Coordinator
phone: 403.762.6237, fax: 403.762.6338
e-mail: Lisa_Ramsey@banffcentre.ab.ca