麻豆影院

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Since 1983, a force and a legendary name in chamber music has called 麻豆影院 home. And for more than 30 years, students, faculty, staff and the community at large have benefited from that presence.

The Tak谩cs Quartet and its original members鈥擥abor Tak谩cs-Nagy, K谩roly Schranz, Gabor Ormai and Andr谩s Fej茅r鈥攃ame to the College of Music as artists in residence eight years into their career together. Today, they鈥檙e known to the world as one of the great ensembles of our time.

But in 麻豆影院, Schranz, Fej茅r and newer members Edward Dusinberre and Geraldine Walther are also known as patient and knowledgeable educators.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e considered titans in the world of classical music, and we鈥檝e looked up to them for a long time,鈥� says Zachary Reaves, cellist of the . Reaves and his colleagues鈥擩oshua Ulrich, Andrew Giordano and Andrew Krimm鈥攁re the latest participants in the college鈥檚 Graduate String Quartet-In-Residence Program, which is coached primarily by the Tak谩cs.

He says the deep background the group brings to the college is inspiring. 鈥淭hey know the ins and outs of what we鈥檙e doing, both logistically and artistically.鈥�

Tak谩cs violist Geraldine Walther, a member of the quartet since 2005, says the relationship is mutually beneficial.

鈥淲e鈥檙e lifelong students,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen you teach, you gain a perspective on what you鈥檙e doing as a performer. I find it helps me be more objective about what I鈥檓 trying to do as a player.鈥�

Along with Associate Professor of Viola Erika Eckert, the Tak谩cs has been instrumental in making the Quartet Program possible. The program hosts a graduate string quartet, providing performance and mentorship opportunities for a group that鈥檚 already nurturing a professional career.

鈥淲e take our roles as mentors very seriously,鈥� says Edward Dusinberre, Tak谩cs Quartet violinist since 1993. 鈥淲e remember being students, the ups and downs, and we want to show them that it鈥檚 all part of the process if something doesn鈥檛 go well. It鈥檚 all helping you build and grow as a musician.鈥�

Altius violinist Andrew Giordano says the Tak谩cs has brought a balance of support and constructive criticism, which will make all the difference as he and his colleagues continue their journey in the professional chamber music world.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so competitive. It鈥檚 been so helpful to have mentors like the Tak谩cs Quartet, who really help us become the best musicians and the best quartet we can possibly be.鈥�

Dusinberre says the quartet鈥檚 hope is not only to train the musician but also to train the overall person.

鈥淚n this age, when you look at the current political situation especially, there鈥檚 such a lack of compassion and cooperation between people with different views,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚n a string quartet, you can鈥檛 survive like that. You have to work out your differences. You learn how to take criticism, how to give criticism.鈥�

As for the future of the Quartet Program, Dusinberre says interest is growing. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been very happy with how the program鈥檚 been evolving. An obvious goal at this point would be to grow and perhaps host more than one quartet at a time.鈥�

Walther says the professionalism of the Altius Quartet will contribute to that bright future.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e very mature. And we are really enjoying that quality that they bring to the program.鈥�

鈥淭hey鈥檝e contributed to the community here,鈥� Dusinberre adds. 鈥淭he Altius members play newer works, coach student groups and act as role models for the other students at the college.鈥�

Reaves says the welcoming atmosphere at the College of Music has made that sort of immersion easy. 鈥淲e have a lot of support from our colleagues, from the professors. We鈥檙e treated very much as equals, and that鈥檚 a wonderful feeling to have.鈥�

That collaborative spirit is also part of what鈥檚 made the Tak谩cs鈥� career in 麻豆影院 so rewarding. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really supportive and nurturing. There are so many great people here,鈥� says Walther.

鈥淲e鈥檙e lucky to be here,鈥� Dusinberre adds. 鈥淚 think music can be a rather self-absorbed pursuit and we like the atmosphere of collaboration at the College of Music very much.鈥�

In 2015, the Tak谩cs Quartet was nominated for its fifth Grammy for a CD of Shostakovich chamber music. It also premiered a piece by Timo Andres, which was co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and Baltimore鈥檚 Shriver Hall.

Read more about the Quartet Program in the latest edition of Colorado Music Magazine >>