Like Honolulu, the Tokyo String Quartet has one foot on each side of the Pacific, with its soul residing somewhere in between.

The group was founded 40 years ago at New York's Juilliard School by four natives of Japan. The quartet won instant acclaim then as one of the world's top ensembles. They've only gotten better since. Today the two remaining original members are joined by Canadian violin virtuoso Martin Beaver — who has Hawaii connections of his own — and British cellist Clive Greensmith.

In Honolulu tonight the Tokyo String Quartet will present a program of birthdays and anniversaries, performing the same three pieces of music with which they made their New York debut 40 years ago: string quartets by Beethoven, Bartok and Berg.

That's the anniversary. The birthdays? Both the Berg and Bartok pieces turn 100 years old this season, and the Beethoven turns 200.

The Beethoven piece is the “;Harp”; quartet, so-named because the players pluck away at arpeggios in imitation of a harp. It's one of the great master's sunniest and most energetic works.

The two quartets by 20th-century masters Berg and Bartok share, besides their birthdays, secret story lines. Berg portrays his love for the woman he would later marry; Bartok, his love for a woman who, sadly, did not love him back.

Four hundred years of great music, four great players and 40 years of string quartet experience should add up to a once-in-a-lifetime treat for music lovers.

Tokyo String Quartet

Honolulu Chamber Music Series:

» Place: Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke Theatre

» When: 7:30 p.m. today (meet the artists at 6:30 p.m.)

» Tickets: $50; $45 for academy members

» Call: 532-8765