2009-2010 BCMS Season
Gryphon Trio - October 9th
Formed in 1993, the Gryphon Trio continues to delight audiences around the globe with their highly refined and dynamic performances. Based in Toronto, the Trio tours regularly throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. Their celebrated recordings include works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Lalo and Shostakovich. With a strong commitment to expanding the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned and premiered over 50 works. Their 2004 recording, Canadian Premieres, features the work of leading Canadian composers and was awarded a Juno. Their most recent recording, Tango Nuevo, features the music of Astor Piazzolla and Hilario Duran, and represents their tenth CD for the Analekta label.
Borealis String Quartet - November 6th
One of the most dynamic and exciting world-class ensembles of its generation, the Borealis String Quartet has received critical acclaim as an ensemble praised for its fiery performances, passionate style, and refined, musical interpretation.
Founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in the fall of 2000 and rapidly establishing a stellar reputation, the Borealis created a national sensation as the only classical ensemble televised on the Great Canadian Music Dream Competition hosted by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Consequently, they were invited to perform for the Prime Minister of Canada at the Canada Day Celebrations on Parliament Hill in front of an audience of over 75,000.
The New York Woodwind Quintet - February 5th
For almost 60 seasons, the New York Woodwind Quintet has maintained an active performance schedule in the United States and abroad while also teaching the next generation of woodwind performers. The Quintet has commissioned and premiered over 20 compositions, some of which have become classics of the woodwind repertoire. They include Samuel Barber's Summer Music, and quintets by Gunther Schuller, Ezra Laderman, William Bergsma, Alec Wilder, William Sydeman, Wallingford Riegger, Jon Deak, and Yehudi Wyner. The Quintet has featured many of these in recordings for such labels as Boston Skyline, Bridge, New World Records, and Nonesuch.