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The 2015 Maui Classical Music Festival, opening Saturday, will include performances by two members of the world-famous former Tokyo String Quartet.
Violinist Martin Beaver and cellist Clive Greensmith will join six other musicians, including a pianist acclaimed for “hypnotically powerful” playing, a virtuoso guitarist and two rising stars on the violin and cello.
Leading the festival for the 34th year are violist Yizhak Schotten and his wife, pianist Katherine Collier. Concerts are scheduled for Saturday at the Makawao Union Church; Monday and May 8 at the Keawala’i Congregational Church in Makena; and Wednesday at the Wananalua Congregational Church in Hana.
“We are very excited about this year’s festival because we have some world-class new musicians joining us who have never been to the festival before,” said Collier, referring to Greensmith, violinist Grace Park and pianist Kevin Fitz-Gerald.
While the Tokyo String Quartet disbanded in 2013, Beaver and Greensmith have remained active. Critics have praised Beaver for technical agility, versatility and warm tone. Greensmith, who has been principal cellist of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, has won several prizes including second in the “Premio Stradivari” in Cremona, Italy.
The other festival performers are classical guitarist David Leisner and cellist David Requiro.
Saturday’s “Evening Serenade in D” concert will feature Beethoven’s Serenade in D for violin, viola and guitar, Op. 8; Paganini’s Terzetto concertante in D for guitar, viola and cello; and Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 2 in D for cello and piano, Op. 58.
Monday’s “Sizzling Strings, Guitar and Piano” concert will feature DeFalla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole for cello and guitar; Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 Aria for cello and guitar; Saint-Saens Sonata for violin and piano in D minor, Op. 75; and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E flat, Op. 47.
The Wednesday “Hana Community Concert” will include Paganini’s Terzetto Concertante in D for guitar, viola and cello; Piazzolla’s movements from Histoire du Tango for violin and guitar; and Beethoven’s Serenade in D for violin, viola and guitar, Op. 8.
The “Festival Finale” on May 8 will feature Leisner’s Sonata for violin and guitar; Debussy’s Piano Trio in G; and Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81. All concerts will start at 7 p.m.
* Tickets for individual concerts are $25 for adults and $10 for students and are available by calling 878-2312 or visiting www.mauiclassicalmusicfestival.org.