The Banff Centre is pleased to announce the ten string quartets chosen to participate in the 7^th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), August 28 – September 2, 2001. They are:

The quartets were selected by a preliminary jury of three distinguished musicians: Wolfgang Laufer, USA (Fine Arts Quartet); Jean Sulem, France (Rosamonde Quartet); and David Takeno, UK (former member, Tokyo Quartet). They each listened to and marked the unidentified copies of the audition tapes submitted by quartets from around the world. The ten top quartets have been invited to Banff for the 2001 competition.

"We’ve spoken to all the quartets, and they’re obviously delighted with the news," says Peter Gardner, executive director of BISQC. "These quartets are some of the finest of their generation. This will definitely make for an intense and exciting competition, not only for the competitors, but for the jury and audience as well."

The Banff International String Quartet Competition, hosted by The Banff Centre with great continuing support from the Royal Bank Financial Group Foundation, is held in the highest regard within the community of great international music competitions. "BISQC is unique because it has as much an atmosphere of a festival as it does that of a competition. We have worked extremely hard to achieve this feeling," explains Peter Gardner. "Each quartet will have the opportunity to perform at least five complete works during the competition. This significant amount of performance time not only makes the journey to Banff worthwhile for each quartet, but also gives their colleagues, the jury and the audience a complete picture of their capabilities."

The ten quartets will not only compete for the prestige of becoming winners, but for more than $75,000 in prizes. The first prize winning quartet receives $20,000 plus a set of matched, custom-made bows; a cross-Canada recital tour and a residency at The Banff Centre, including the opportunity to record a CD. In addition, there are prizes for the best performance of a work by John Estacio, commissioned for this competition, and for the best performance of a string quartet by Beethoven. Past winners include the Miró Quartet in 1998, who have gone on to become one of the hottest quartets on the circuit.

Tickets to this event are going fast! Ticket options include full-week audience residency packages for those who want to experience the thrill of the entire competition, finals weekend (Labour Day Weekend) packages, as well as single tickets for all sessions. For more information, or for tickets, contact The Banff Centre Box Office at (403) 762-6301 or 1-800-413-8368 or visit www.banffcentre.ca/music/bisqc.

Contact: Peter Gardner, Executive Director, BISQC P: (709) 895-7899
Enza Apa, Marketing Coordinator, BISQC P: (403) 762-6237 or enza_apa@banffcentre.ca