Candidates Announced for 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition

The 10 opening round quartets have been announced for the 2019 13th Banff International String Quartet Competition

The 10 opening round quartets have been announced for the 2019 13th Banff International String Quartet Competition – to be held in Banff, Canada from the 26th of August to the 1st of September.

The 2019 opening-round candidates are:

• Callisto Quartet (USA)
• Eliot Quartett (Germany / Russia / Canada)
• Marmen Quartet (UK)
• Omer Quartet (USA)
• Quatuor Agate (France)
• Quatuor Elmire (France)
• Ruisi Quartet (UK)
• Ulysses Quartet (Canada / USA / Taiwan)
• Vera Quartet (Spain / USA)
• Viano String Quartet (Canada / USA)

“Thirty-seven young quartets from all over the world submitted excellent performances, and I found my task a difficult one – with such incredible talent, coming up with a list of 10 is a daunting task ..." Christopher Costanza, cellist with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and 2019 preliminary jury member has said.

"This younger generation of quartets is raising the bar and assuring a bright future for chamber music," he has said.

Open to string quartets with all members under the age of 35, the 1st prize winning ensemble will receive CAD $25,000 – plus a number of mentorship and international performance opportunities, including a two year paid residency at the Meadows School of the Arts at the Southern Methodist University.

“It’s always a huge joy to see these young musicians succeed and see their careers take flight at Banff Centre,” Competition Executive Director, Barry Shiffman has told The Violin Channel.

“Our winners are being showcased by many of the leading arts organizations around the world ... the Banff International String Quartet Competition is like the Olympics of chamber music, we can hardly wait to welcome these wonderful artists to Banff,” he has said.

The 2019 competition jury will comprise: Gillian Ansell, Martin Beaver, Adrian Fung, David Harrington, Nobuko Imai, Philip Setzer and Ursula Smith.

Previous 1st prize winners include the Cecilia String Quartet, Rolston String Quartet - and the VC Artist Dover Quartet.

As the competition's official 2019 international media partner, The Violin Channel will be providing streaming coverage - live from all venues.

You won't miss a beat!