The Tokyo String Quartet

From the ‘Elite Teams’ series

The Tokyo String Quartet was widely recognized as one of the finest musical ensembles of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The members of this quartet, like those on other elite teams, worked hard to keep their individual egos in check. According to cellist Sadao Harada, “we don’t even think about who gets to show off their great sound, their great technique. We must project as one and put forth the quartet’s musical personality.”

The group had not always found their individuality so easy to contain, given that each of the four is skilled enough to be considered a virtuoso soloist in their own right. It helps that string quartet masterpieces number in the hundreds – if not thousands – far exceeding the number a soloist could expect to encounter for their instrument alone. The richness and variety of the repertoire make it easier to find fulfillment when the rigours of constant travel and incessant rehearsal wear them down.

Because they have played together for decades, the three Japanese members of the quartet long ago developed natural ways of blending their skills. Their moods, talents, preferences – all are known territory. For a team in a profession that demands continuous innovation, the downside of such lifelong familiarity could be a sort of creative complacency.

But the quartet was rescued from that fate in 1981 when Canadian Peter Oundjian joined after the original first violin dropped out. Oundjian brought an outsider’s perspective to the group, questioning everything from musical selections to tour destinations. With less flexible teammates, the group’s chemistry might have been destroyed by such an intruder. Instead, the mix has been enriched. According to second violin Kikuei Ikeda, “because Peter brought with him a fresh approach, we have been able to see ourselves more objectively. We began to question everything along with him, and it’s been continually challenging. This is what people should want in their work lives.”

Oundjian left the quartet 14 years later, and first violin had three additional replacements until the ensemble disbanded in 2013 so Ikeda and original violist Kazuhide Isomura could retire after 44 years of world-class excellence.