Photo: Ian Malkin, Transversales Verdun
Harumi Rhodes has mixed feelings about observing The Milestone. As second violinist of the world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet, she understands the significance of the group’s founding a half-century ago.
“It’s a monumental moment and we’re approaching it with a sense of awe,” she admits. “I feel humbled. Yet, in another sense, for us it’s business as usual.” Much of that business takes place right here in Boulder.
Joining Rhodes in conversation is first violinist Ed Dusinberre, who’s also her husband. The English-born musician reflects on the group’s remarkable musical journey filled with loss, personnel changes and—most of all—brilliant music making.
“I find myself thinking about all our former quartet members—we wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone today except for them,” says Dusinberre, recalling that the original quartet was formed by students at the Music Academy in Budapest, Hungary, in 1975.
“They were so young, living behind the Iron Curtain, wondering how they could fulfill their musical aspirations worldwide,” he adds.
Hard work and winning prestigious awards in several European competitions led to an American tour in 1982 and—following several U.S.-based short-term residencies—the decision to permanently relocate their families to the United States in 1985-86. Soon after, the players accepted an invitation to become the resident quartet at the University of Colorado Boulder—and they’ve resided here ever since, though not without challenges. Gábor Takács-Nagy stepped down in 1993 and now enjoys a successful career as a conductor and teacher worldwide. The following year, violist Gábor Ormai was diagnosed with cancer and retired, passing away in 1995. The late Roger Tapping succeeded him, leaving to spend time with his family in 2005; in turn, he was succeeded by Geraldine Walther. Upon the retirement of founding second violinist Károly Schranz, Harumi Rhodes joined the quartet in 2018.
As the first new member in 1993, Dusinberre recalls the challenge of being a non-Hungarian. “It was a big adjustment for me, but I appreciated the welcoming, adventurous spirit of the players and the warmth of their collective sound,” he says. “The process was similar when Harumi and then Richard joined”—referring to current violist Richard O’Neill who succeeded Walther in 2020. Grammy-Award winner for Best Classical Instrumental Solo Performance in 2021, O’Neill is only the second person to receive an award for a viola performance in the history of this category.
Today, cellist András Fejér remains the sole original member of the Takács Quartet.
For Rhodes, becoming a member of the Takács was thrilling. “The College of Music is a musical home for us. We feel grateful to be embedded in this university and the community.”
Although the Takács maintain an international touring schedule that takes up about half of their time, the foursome prioritizes time with their students, working in partnership with Meta Weiss, the College of Music’s chamber music coordinator.
It may surprise some audience members who’ve been regulars at sold-out Takács Quartet concerts to learn that the group’s campus connection extends beyond Grusin Music Hall. As Dusinberre notes, their decades-long residency is centered around daily hands-on work with College of Music students.
“Our relationship with the college is the glue that keeps us together,” he stresses. “Our graduate string quartet program inspires us to think about future generations.” This two-year program consists of intense work with a promising ensemble, preparing and guiding the young artists into the demanding world of quartet playing.
“The newest quartet we’re working with is the Michigan-based Koa Quartet,” adds Rhodes. “We’ll listen to their interests and help them to develop a unique musical voice.”
The College of Music’s chamber music program has a long track record of success. The Brisbane, Australia-based Orava Quartet is a good example: Via email, first violinist Daniel Kowalik shared that his group met the Takács at a music festival in Sydney in 2011—at that time, the Orava had been together for five years. They soon came to CU Boulder to study with the Takács.
“We always worked with one member at a time,” wrote Kowalik. “They rotated, so we had time with each member. I asked lots of questions, from general well-being to dealing with the pressures of performing.”
Today, the Orava Quartet enjoys an active schedule and has been signed by Deutsche Grammophon. Their Boulder experience “really helped launch us into having a career,” Kowalik noted. “Our coachings were invaluable and absolutely essential to learning the craft. Being mentored by the Takács forever changed how I think about and approach music making.”
For many students at the College of Music, a career as a performer isn’t their only goal—and the Takács Quartet is sensitive to that, too. “It’s only partly about making music,” Rhodes emphasizes. “Much of what we focus on when we’re talking with students has to do with how to make a life in music.”
Dusinberre treasures those conversations. “I ask students to identify individual favorite moments in a piece and we explore different ways to heighten those moments. Hopefully they learn about each others’ musical tastes and how to use their individual ideas to shape a unified interpretation.”
When touring and recording sessions wind down, these beloved artists find a special joy in coming home to Boulder, visiting with faculty colleagues, and sharing their knowledge and experience with students. As Rhodes says, “The gritty and beautiful work of a string quartet happens offstage in the rehearsal room. We feel so grateful that—after many decades—this process continues in our home at CU Boulder.”
The Takács Quartet’s 50th anniversary season is generously sponsored by Barbara and Chris Christoffersen.
