This majestic string quartet group, which was just formed in 2012, consists of front line performers who presently serve as concertmistresses, principal players with Japanese orchestras, or who are active in numerous chamber music concerts etc.
With a strikingly strong and passionate will for their new venture, the Kansai String Quartet, based on their salon concerts at the Cafe Montage in Kyoto, have gotten into the spirit to further develop their activities.

All four members studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, and then pursued studies in Europe.
Hayashi (violin) is now the concertmistress of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra.
Tamura (violin), also having served as concertmistress of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra, is now active with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. Komine (viola), having served as the principal violist with the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, is currently the principal violist with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, and Uwamori (cello), having pursued his studies in Germany after placing first at the Music Competition of Japan, now continues his many activities as a soloist as well as a guest principal cellist with major orchestras.

The performance of a string quartet allows for a more autonomous and spontaneous approach to the musical works, and thus differs to the performance of an orchestra which not only has a conductor but is also composed of a large number of musicians.
However, it is their string quartet performance experience which will enable them to provide effective feedback anew to their own orchestral activities.

There is indeed a treasure trove of masterpieces for string quartet, from the works of the Viennese classical era, as represented by Beethoven's immortal 16 works which are known to be an accumulation of creations spanning throughout the composer's lifetime and regarded as the 'Old Testament' so to speak of such works, to the twentieth century works. The Kansai String Quartet aim to dig deep into this treasure trove to take on these works not through one-off concert performances, but rather through repeated performances by creating more opportunities for outreaches etc.

Forming a full time string quartet group and continuing activities is certainly not an easy task in Japan compared to Europe and America, and there are overwhelmingly few quartet groups as well as quartet performances compared to the number of orchestras and orchestral performances. However amidst this situation, the Kansai String Quartet, with a strong and passionate display by spirited musicians, are expected to bring about a new vitality to the music world.
In 2014, the Kansai String Quartet were awarded the Osaka Culture Festival honourable mention.
Kansai String Quartet were awarded the Osaka Cultural Festival Award in 2014 and Osaka City's "Sakuyakonohana Award in 2015."

January 2016

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