1 Rocky Mountain Range, Banff National Park. Photo by Chris Amat. BANFF INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET COMPETITION (BISQC) BISQC • (bisk) noun (est. 1983) 1. Acronym for Banff International String Quartet Competition. 2. Renowned string quartet competition; presents the world’s best young quartets under the age of 35, vying for over $300,000 in cash and prizes including international concert tours, a 2-year paid residency at Southern Methodist University, recording opportunities, and a Career Development Grant for all quartets. 3. A triennial event, hosted by Banff Centre since 1983, giving audiences an in-depth and behind-the- scenes experience with the world’s premier up and coming quartets. bisqc.ca Banff Centre • noun (est. 1933) 1. Canada’s largest post-graduate arts school, Banff Centre shapes artistic practices globally through education, creation, and performance. 2. Home to BISQC quartets, jury, audience, and special guests from August 26 – September 1, 2019. 3. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, in Banff, Alberta, Canada. banffcentre.ca 3 Rolston String Quartet, winners of Banff International String Quartet Competition 2016. Photo by Jessica Wittman. 4 “ BISQC WAS A FEAST. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ENSEMBLE SKILLS OF THESE YOUNG MUSICIANS WERE TRULY ASTOUNDING – THE JUDGES WOULD BE HARD- PRESSED TO MAKE THEIR SELECTION OF WINNERS, SO HIGH WAS THE LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT AND MUSICIANSHIP. ” – Juliet, Resident Audience Member, 2016 WELCOME The music world holds its breath as the Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) discovers the next great chamber ensemble from August 26 to September 1. I invite you to join us as ten of the world’s finest quartets compete for the most coveted prize in chamber music. The first prize package is now valued at over $300,000. Set in the splendour of the Canadian Rockies, the combination of breathtaking performances, illuminating lectures, shared meals, and special events makes BISQC an experience unlike any other. Guest performers include the Rolston Quartet, winners of the 2016 competition, and the groundbreaking Kronos Quartet. Whether you stay for the entire week, the finals weekend or attend individual concerts, we look forward to welcoming you to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Sincerely, Barry Shiffman Executive Director Banff International String Quartet Competition 6 “THE BANFF INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET COMPETITION IS A TRULY REMARKABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. – Jonathan Lo, Rolston String Quartet (BISQC 2016 Winners) Banff International String Quartet Competition, 2016. Photo by Rita Taylor. 7 CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION BISQC winners are now the “Who’s Who” of the World’s Greats: 2016 Rolston String Quartet 1992 St. Lawrence String Quartet 2013 Dover Quartet 1989 Quatuor Manfred 2010 Cecilia String Quartet 1986 Franciscan Quartet 2007 Tinalley String Quartet 1983 Colorado Quartet 2004 Jupiter Quartet 2001 Daedalus Quartet 1998 Miró Quartet 1995 Amernet String Quartet Top to bottom: Cecilia String Quartet, winners of BISQC 2010. Photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco; Rolston String Quartet, winners of BISQC 2016. Photo by Rita Taylor; Dover Quartet, winners of BISQC 2013. Photo by Carlin Ma. 9 AWARDS In 2019, competing quartets vie for over $300,000 in cash and prizes including: 1st Prize $25,000 and: • A winner’s Concert Tour in career-building markets in Europe and North America, supported through the Freeze Family Career Development Fund. • A two-week residency at Banff Centre fully equipped with the support, expertise, and tools to produce a professional recording. • Southern Methodist University Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence Prize. (see below for details) • Esterházy Foundation Prize. (see below for details) 2nd Prize $12,000 and: A fully funded creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities, valued at $15,000. 3rd Prize $8,000 and: A fully funded creative residency at Banff Centre including coaching and mentorship opportunities, valued at $15,000. Southern Methodist University Esterházy Peak Fellowship Ensemble- Foundation Prize In-Residence Prize The Esterházy Foundation New for 2019, first place generously enables the first laureates will be offered a place laureates to perform 2-year paid residency worth in Haydn Hall at the Esterházy $160,000 USD at Southern Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria Methodist University in as part of the Winner’s Dallas, Texas. Concert Tour. The R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize $3,000 For the best performance of a Haydn quartet. 10 Dover String Quartet, winners of BISQC 2013. Performed at BISQC 2016. Photo by Rita Taylor. Canadian Commission Prize, Career Development Award in honour of the R.S. Williams $4,000 & Sons Company $3,000 Upon completion of the For the best performance first four rounds of BISQC, of a new quartet by all quartets not selected Canadian-Finnish composer to the final round of the Matthew Whittall. The competition receive a career work is commissioned by development award. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, with additional funding from Americas Society (New York), for the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition. 2019 RULES AND REGULATIONS AVAILABLE AT BISQC.CA 11 “ A THOUSAND THOUGHTS WAS EASILY [SUNDANCE] FESTIVAL’S MOST MIND- BLOWING EXPERIENCE... IF IT COMES TO A THEATRE OR CONCERT HALL NEAR YOU, DON’T MISS WHAT IS A TRULY MOVING SENSURROUND, EXPERIENCE. ” – Newsweek, on Kronos Quartet Kronos Quartet. Performing A Thousand Thoughts. Photo by Waleed Shah. Kronos Quartet. Photo by Jay Blakesberg. 12 Ulysses Quartet, BISQC 2016. Photo by Rita Taylor. “ THIS IS AN IMMERSION FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE STRING QUARTETS – VIRTUALLY NON-STOP FOR A WEEK. ADD TO THAT THE GORGEOUS SETTING, SUPERB FOOD, INTELLIGENT COMPANY, AND ISOLATION FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD, IT’S AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. ” – David, Resident Audience Member, 2016 13 THE BISQC EXPERIENCE SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 Resident Audience Arrives Morning excursions available to Evening – Welcome Reception enjoy your surroundings without missing a single note. (See page 23 for info) MONDAY, AUGUST 26 DAY 1: RECITAL ROUND DAY 3: ROMANTIC ROUND Four quartets perform a recital Seven quartets perform a of Haydn and a quartet written complete quartet from the after 1905. romantic or nationalistic repertoire. 10 a.m. Lecture #1: Philip Setzer reflects 2 p.m. Concert 6 : on his remarkable Three quartets perform career with the Emerson 4:30 p.m. Open Masterclass Quartet in conversation 7:30 p.m. Concert 7: with BISQC Director Four quartets perform Barry Shiffman 2 p.m. Concert 1 : Two quartets perform THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 7:30 p.m. Concert 2: Afternoon excursions available. Two quartets perform (See page 23 for info) DAY 4: ROMANTIC ROUND TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 & ALUMNI CONCERT DAY 2: RECITAL ROUND Three quartets perform a Six quartets perform a recital of complete quartet from the Haydn and a quartet written after romantic or nationalistic 1905. repertoire. 9 a.m. Lecture #2: From Good 10:00 a.m. Concert 8: to Great: Denis Brott Three quartets perform brings you inside the 4:30 p.m. Open Masterclass world of the rehearsal 8 p.m. Concert 9: 10:30 a.m. Concert 3: Alumni Concert featuring Two quartets perform 2016 First Place 2 p.m. Concert 4: Laureates Rolston String Two quartets perform Quartet 7:30 p.m. Concert 5: Two quartets perform 14 FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 Afternoon excursions available. DAY 6: SCHUBERTPLUS ROUND (See page 23 for info) All quartets perform a recital DAY 5: CANADIAN COMMISSION of no more than 30 minutes ROUND & SPECIAL EVENT including a Schubert quartet and additional repertoire of All quartets perform the newly their choosing. commissioned composition by Matthew Whittall. 9 a.m. Lecture #4: Creativity and Mental Health with 9 a.m. Lecture #3: A discussion Dr. David Goldbloom between Matthew 10:30 a.m. Concert 12: Whittall and Three quartets perform Barry Shiffman 2 p.m. Concert 13: 10 a.m. Concert 10: Four quartets perform All ten quartets perform 7:30 p.m. Concert 14: the new work by Three quartets perform Matthew Whittall 8 p.m. Concert 11: Late evening – Announcement of SPECIAL EVENT! the three finalists A Thousand Thoughts – A Live Documentary with SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Kronos Quartet DAY 7: FINALS Oscar-nominated filmmakers Sam 10 a.m. Lecture #5: Tom Wilder Green and Joe Bini have teamed of Wilder and Davis and up with Grammy-winning Kronos Ric Heinl of George Quartet for a wildly creative Heinl & Company discuss multimedia performance piece that finding the perfect blends live music and narration instrument match with archival footage and filmed interviews with prominent artists. 2:00 p.m. Concert 15: Finals The three finalists perform a quartet by Note: Beethoven Schedule subject to change Late afternoon – Announcement of the winning quartet Lectures Plan ahead Package purchasers and passport holders With the purchase enjoy exclusive access to the lecture series. of your package or An all-star line-up is planned to shed light on passport you also have various topics from repertoire to instruments the right of first refusal to the touring life of a string quartet. to keep the same seats from 2019, for the 2022 The lecture series is generously supported competition. by Ernie and Sandra Green. 15 AUDIENCE PACKAGES With various options to choose from, we make it easy for you to enjoy every note of the 13th BISQC by staying on site in the comfort of Banff Centre’s hotels with full amenities. Enjoy the newly renovated comfort of Lloyd Hall or the welcoming setting of the Professional Development Centre. FULL WEEK PACKAGE (Sunday, Aug 25 – Monday, Sept 2, 2019) • 8 nights’ accommodation • meals in Vistas Dining Room * • reserved seating to all 15 performances • access to all lectures and special events • tote bag with exclusive BISQC merchandise • membership at our extensive fitness, aquatic, and recreation facilities Solo $ 3540 (single occupancy) Duo $ 4920 (double occupancy) WEEKEND PACKAGE Can’t make it for the entire week? Join us for the finals weekend.