The Tokyo Quartet — recognised masters who are about to retire after 40 years of international fame — will next week present a quartet of very fine instruments to Queensland Conservatorium students.
Sought from around the world, the cello, viola and two violins have been purchased following a generous donation from the Jani Haenke Charitable Trust, with the goal of providing the best of Queensland’s emerging musicians with access to the best of instruments, to give them a distinct advantage at the start of their careers.
Student ensembles competed this week for their chance to win one year’s access to the instruments, with the winning group to be announced next Wednesday 5 June after the Tokyo Quartet performance which forms part of their final world tour.
Queensland Conservatorium Executive Manager Dr Helen Lancaster says the $400,000 bequest that allowed for the purchase of these instruments will open up a new world of sound typically out of reach to the average music student.
“The sounds these fine musical instruments produce will stay with the students long after their time at the Conservatorium, as will their experience joining together to create small ensembles.”
“We believe small ensembles are a significant part of the future possibilities available to our graduates, so it is important that our emerging musicians are given every opportunity to stretch their potential from the outset.
“With instruments of high quality ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 and even higher for stringed instruments, this is beyond the reach of most young musicians.
“This fund will offer student ensembles access to professional experiences and the chance to appreciate just what can be expected from instruments of this calibre.”
Each of the new instruments comes with silver-mounted bows made by Pierre Guillaume in Brussels, and with a set of performance bows made especially for the Queensland Conservatorium inscribed and with opal inserts in the silver mount. Lilly Camden, widow of former QCGU Director Anthony Camden, also generously contributed to the cost of these bows.
This year’s winning students will until early next year become the Jani Haenke Quartet, resident at the Queensland Conservatorium, to honour the woman who made this possible.
The bequest represents an important step in the establishment of a substantial endowment fund to enable the Conservatorium to make lasting contributions to quality music making in Queensland.
Tickets available via qtix.
Griffith University is currently launching a suite of initiatives under its three-year ‘New Griffith 2013-2016’ program, signifying an intensive period of change and innovation.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Suto, 0418 799 544, [email protected]
