Competitors

The Banff Centre is pleased to announce the ten quartets chosen to participate in the 8th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), August 31 – September 5, 2004.

They are:

Alma String Quartet   (Paris, France)
Carmel Quartet   (Givataim, Israel)
Ensō Quartet   (Houston, Texas, U.S.)
Fry Street Quartet   (Logan, Utah, U.S.)
Jupiter String Quartet   (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.)
Matangi Quartet   (The Hague, Holland)
Penguin Quartet   (Prague, Czech Republic)
Quince Quartet   (London, UK)
Royal String Quartet   (Warsaw, Poland)
Tokai String Quartet   (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Note: The Piazo Quartet from Denmark had to withdraw due to unforseen circumstances.

The quartets were selected by a preliminary jury of three distinguished musicians: Martin Beaver, Canada (Tokyo Quartet), Keith Harvey, United Kingdom (Gabrieli Quartet), and Jean Sulem, France (Rosamonde Quartet). Each evaluated unidentified copies of audition CDs submitted by quartets from around the world.

“These quartets represent the finest emerging ensemble talent playing today,” says Peter Gardner, executive director of BISQC. “We’ve spoken to each quartet and they are thrilled at the opportunity to play in Banff. The virtuosity and musicianship of these players will create a competition filled with youthful energy and sparkle — an aural feast for both the BISQC audience and the jury.”

The ten quartets will meet in Banff in a quest to become the winners of the prestigious competition, and for awards of $75,000 in cash and prizes, including the offer of a Banff Centre residency and CD recording, a set of bows by renowned Canadian archetier Michael Vann, and a recital tour arranged by The Banff Centre. In addition to these prizes, BISQC also supports travel to Banff and accommodation at the Centre for each of the ten quartets.

Media: high resolution photos are available for download.