Four countries, fourteen performances, three broadcast networks in just over three weeks. Canada’s Cecilia String Quartet is in the midst of a whirlwind tour that will introduce European audiences to the passionate and creative performances that won them first prize at the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC).
From late March to early April, the quartet will travel to The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Germany —with several concerts being recorded for radio broadcast — as part of their BISQC RBC Awards prize package, The Banff International String Quartet Competition partners with concert presenters to provide opportunities for the winners of BISQC to perform world-wide. Following their European tour, the Cecilia String Quartet will travel to concert dates in the Western United States and Canada during the Fall of 2011, and in the Eastern US and Canada in Spring 2012, including a tour in partnership with the Honens International Piano Competition featuring the laureate of both Honens and BISQC. The BISQC winner’s tour is supported by The Banff Centre through the Freeze Family Career Development Fund.
The Cecilia String Quartet was among the eight finalist quartets from around the world who competed in the 2010 BISQC. In addition to the winner’s tour, their RBC Awards First Prize package includes $25,000 (CND), an extensive three-year career development program, Banff Centre residencies, including the production of a CD, and public relations assistance. Cecilia members also took home a quartet of custom bows by renowned bow maker François Malo.
Founded in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of The Banff Centre, BISQC is a triennial competition that helps support emerging string quartet careers. Recognized by the World Federation of International Music Competitions, it is among the top events of its kind.
Based in Toronto, the Cecilia String Quartet includes Min-Jeong Koh, violin; Sarah Nematallah, violin; Caitlin Boyle, viola; and Rachel Desoer, cello. The quartet has just signed a multi-CD recording contract with ANALEKTA recordings, with the first release planned for January 2012. Their European tour dates include:
- 19 March — Utrecht (De Leeuwenbergh), The Netherlands
- 20 March — Eindhoven (Muziekcentrum Frits Philips), The Netherlands
- 23 March — Haarlem (Philharmonie Harrlem), The Netherlands 24 March — St. Truiden (Academiezaal Sint Truiden), Belgium
- 25 March — Naarden (Stadhuis Naarden), The Netherlands
- 27 March — Amsterdam (Concertgebouw), The Netherlands 29 March — Meran, Italy
- 31 March — Berlin (Konzerthaus), Germany — to be recorded by DeutschlandRadio
- 1 April — Bremen (Philharmonische Gesellschaft), Germany 3 April — Bonn (Beethoven-Haus), Germany
- 4 April — Nürnberg (Meistersingerhalle), Germany — to be recorded by Bayrischer Rundfunk
- 6 April — Fulda, Germany — to be recorded by Hessischer Rundfunk
- 9 April — Wiesloch (Kunstfreunde), Germany
- 10 April — Ludwigshafen, Germany
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Biography and high resolution images of the Cecilia String Quartet: BISQC Tour Media Resources
For more information on BISQC: http://www.banffcentre.ca/bisqc/2010/
The Banff International String Quartet Competition is generously supported by RBC.
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