"Just heard a sensational concert by the Tokyo Quartet tonight: Haydn, Hindemith and Beethoven Op. 131. Technically wonderful, intense, and intelligent music-making, but without the slightest imposition of ego. And being sponsored by the Friends of Chamber Music, there was no hint of ego on the part of the presenter either. First class all around!" "For sixty-four seasons Friends of Chamber Music has brought the world's top performing ensembles to Vancouver."
Robert Silverman, pianist (on Facebook) - 18 October 2011
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun - 28 September 2011
"The first notes played by the Borodin Quartet on Tuesday will mark the latest instalment of a long, mutual love affair between this eminent Russian ensemble and Vancouver’s pre-eminent presenter of chamber music, Friends of Chamber Music.
Now in the middle of its 63rd season, Friends of Chamber Music enjoys a unique record of high-power (and high-minded) presentation of the world’s premier chamber groups on the West Coast."
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun - 17 February 2011
"Vancouver chamber music lovers are very lucky to have the Friends of Chamber Music series. The FOCM bring in the world's very best quartets, who give us concerts of the greatest chamber music, played at the highest possible level. And within this company, the Takacs seem particularly outstanding."
David Powell, Review Vancouver - 5 October 2010
"There’s no question that Vancouver’s hard-core classical fanbase loves its chamber music. For as long as almost anyone can remember, Friends of Chamber Music has made Vancouver a necessary stop on the itineraries of all the world’s great string quartets. This season—the Friends’ 62nd—will be no exception, beginning Tuesday Oct. 6 at the Playhouse with the Takacs Quartet."
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun – September 23, 2009
“An admirable philosophy of quality over hype often seems to be taken a stage too far at Friends of Chamber Music (in its 57th season).
A business-as-usual season brought fine programs to town, including the Borodin and Emerson Quartets, the Spoleto Festival ensemble, and the latest (some might say the best) version of the Beaux Arts Trio to the Playhouse.
I recall that some time ago Sun music critic Lloyd Dyck perceptively mused that chamber music was almost by definition not the stuff to excite young audiences. Now that there are several hundred advanced music students waiting for their opportunity to escape from the rain forest and hear top performers in New York and London, it's odd that more of them don't turn out on Tuesday evenings to hear the cream of the world's chamber ensembles.
Grade, as ever, A."
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun – July 2, 2005
“This was yet another in a long, long series of slam-dunks for The Friends of Chamber Music whose flawless programming brings the very best musical ensembles year-in-year-out to the Vancouver Playhouse. Now in its fifty-eighth season, the Society shows no signs of losing its touch.”
J. H. Stape, Review Vancouver – February 14, 2006
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