Consulate-General of Japan in New York
在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館

The Tokyo String Quartet was formed at the Juilliard School of Music in 1969. Soon after its formation, the quartet won First Prize at the Munich Competition. Since then, the Quartet has performed over 100 concerts worldwide each season, released more than 40 landmark recordings for which it earned many prestigious honors that include the Grand Prix du Disque Montreux, "Best Chamber Music Recording of the Year" awards from both Stereo Review and Gramophone magazines, and seven Grammy nominations.

The Tokyo String Quartet has also been featured on numerous television programs which have ranged from PBS' Great Performances and CBS Sunday Morning, to Sesame Street. Since 1976, the members of the Tokyo String Quartet have served on the faculty of the Yale School of Music as quartet-in-residence. They have also been the residing quartet at New York's 92nd Street Y since 2003.

Renowned as one of the most illustrious chamber ensembles in the world, the Quartet gave its farewell concert in Norfolk, Connecticut, on July 6th, 2013, bringing their 44 years of musical excellence to a memorable and graceful close.

Showcasing a deep commitment to serving others, Quartet members performed benefit concerts in Japan, the U.S. and throughout Europe, some of which were to raise funds for relief efforts after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. They have also volunteered to hold concerts in schools, hospitals and a prison. Their time has been devoted to coaching young string players by conducting master classes in North America, Europe and Japan, and, in recent years, by teaching children the joy of playing classical music in the heart of the 92Y's New York City community. During its four decades of magnificent performances, the Tokyo String Quartet has greatly influenced the history of chamber music, and through its contributions to music education and charitable activities, it has brought a part of Japan to many nations throughout the world.