Banff International String Quartet Competition

The Banff International String Quartet Competition is held once in three years at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

History

The competition was organized in 1983 by Kenneth Murphy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Banff Centre for the Arts, at which he was the assistant artistic director for musical programs.[1] It is now recognised as one of the world's major string quartet competitions. [2]

Competition details

Ten quartets from around the world are selected to take part in the semi-final competition. All members of the quartets must be under the age of 35.[3] After playing various styles of both traditional and modern chamber music before audiences over a period of several days,[4] three finalist groups are chosen.[5] After further performances these are judged and a winner chosen.[6]

Each year the winning ensemble receives a cash prize and a three-year career development programme, including a recording session at Banff Centre and a performance tour of European and North American cities.[7] There is also a cash prize for second place and smaller specific prizes.[8]

Winners

In 2010, the Cecilia String Quartet of Toronto took the top prize in the competition.[9]

The winner of the 2013 competition was the Dover Quartet, an American ensemble.[10]

In 2016 the winner of the competition was the Rolston String Quartet.[11]

In 2019, the First Prize was, for the first time, shared between two groups: the Marmen Quartet (UK) and the Viano String Quartet (Canada/USA). The Second Prize was awarded to the Callisto Quartet (USA).[12]

References
  1. "Banff International String Quartet Competition". Canadian Encyclopedia. Susan Spier, Robin Elliott, 10/03/2012
  2. Bachtrack. "Banff International String Quartet Competition".
  3. "7 things we're dying to hear at BISQC 2016". CBC Music, Robert Rowat. August 25, 2016
  4. "Banff International String Quartet Competition returns with powerful Tesla, Verona Quartet performances". Stephan Bonfield, Calgary Herald, August 30, 2016
  5. "BANFF 2016 | Banff International String Quartet Competition Announces Three Finalists". Musical Toronto, By Michael Vincent on September 4, 2016
  6. "DeLong: Rolston String Quartet takes top prize in international Banff competition". Kenneth Delong, Calgary Herald, September 5, 2016
  7. "Rolston String Quartet win Banff competition ". Classical Music, Katy Wright, 21st September 2016
  8. "Banff International String Quartet Competition: Winners". Calgary Herald, September 6, 2010
  9. "Cecilia String Quartet nabs 1st place at Banff". CBC Art, Sep 07, 2010
  10. "Banff International String Quartet Competition 2016 names three finalists". The Strad, September 4, 2016
  11. "Canada's Rolston String Quartet takes top honours at Banff competition". Toronto Star, September 10, 2016. William Littler.
  12. Thompson, Rosemary (1 September 2019). "It's unprecedented! Two Quartets share First Prize at the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition". Banff Centre. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
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