The BANFF Centre International String Quartet Festival, launched in 2017 as a natural response to the success of its String Quartet Competition, was held online once again this year with performances recorded around the world, featuring Viano Quartet with pianist Marc-André Hamelin, Callisto Quartet with cellist Desmond Hoebig, Dalí Quartet and Kelemen Quartet.
In addition to these chamber events, the Banff Quartet Festival Chamber Orchestra was able to gather together to present the Festival’s spectacular final concert. Artistic Director Barry Shiffman (GGS Associate Dean) had this to say about the importance of music during this difficult period in Banff Centre’s history.
“During rehearsals yesterday on campus, as we prepared to record our Banff Festival Chamber Orchestra, there was a profoundly moving feeling amongst musicians, recording engineers, production, and other support staff, as we all realized the importance of continuing our work. This chamber orchestra represents the first significant music-making on our campus in over a year!”
The GGS had a strong connection to this year’s Festival. In addition to Barry Shiffman (violin), the following faculty and alumni were members of the Banff Quartet Festival Chamber Orchestra: Jonathan Crow (violin), Keith Hamm (PDP ’11, viola), Min-Jeong Koh (Quartet Fellow 2010-12 - Cecilia String Quartet, violin), Byungchan Lee (2019-20 Rebanks Fellow, violin), Luri Lee (ADP ’13 / 2013-14 Rebanks Fellow, violin) and Hezekiah Leung (ADP ’14 / 2020-21 Rebanks Fellow, viola).
