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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.
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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.
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A triennial event, hosted by Banff Centre since 1983, giving audiences an in-depth and behind-thescenes 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.
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Home to BISQC quartets, jury, audience, and special guests from August 26 – September 1, 2019.
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Located in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
banffcentre.ca
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Rolston String Quartet, winners of Banff International String Quartet Competition 2016. Photo by Jessica Wittman.
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“ BISQC WAS A FEAST. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ENSEMBLE SKILLS OF THESE YOUNG MUSICIANS WERE TRULY ASTOUNDING – THE JUDGES WOULD BE HARDPRESSED 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
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“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.
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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.
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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 Peak Fellowship EnsembleIn-Residence Prize
New for 2019, first place laureates will be offered a 2-year paid residency worth $160,000 USD at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Esterházy Foundation Prize The Esterházy Foundation generously enables the first place laureates to perform in Haydn Hall at the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria as part of the Winner’s Concert Tour. The R.S. Williams & Sons Haydn Prize $3,000 For the best performance of a Haydn quartet.
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Dover String Quartet, winners of BISQC 2013. Performed at BISQC 2016. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Canadian Commission Prize, in honour of the R.S. Williams & Sons Company $3,000 For the best performance of a new quartet by Canadian-Finnish composer Matthew Whittall. The work is commissioned by 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.
Career Development Award $4,000 Upon completion of the first four rounds of BISQC, all quartets not selected to the final round of the competition receive a career development award.
2019 RULES AND REGULATIONS AVAILABLE AT BISQC.CA
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“ A THOUSAND THOUGHTS WAS EASILY [SUNDANCE] FESTIVAL’S MOST MINDBLOWING 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
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Kronos Quartet. Performing A Thousand Thoughts. Photo by Waleed Shah. Kronos Quartet. Photo by Jay Blakesberg.
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
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THE BISQC EXPERIENCE SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Resident Audience Arrives Evening – Welcome Reception
Morning excursions available to 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 of Haydn and a quartet written after 1905.
Seven quartets perform a complete quartet from the romantic or nationalistic repertoire.
10 a.m.
2 p.m.
Lecture #1: Philip Setzer reflects on his remarkable career with the Emerson Quartet in conversation with BISQC Director Barry Shiffman Concert 1 : Two quartets perform
7:30 p.m. Concert 2: Two quartets perform TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 DAY 2: RECITAL ROUND
Six quartets perform a recital of Haydn and a quartet written after 1905. 9 a.m.
Lecture #2: From Good to Great: Denis Brott brings you inside the world of the rehearsal
10:30 a.m. Concert 3: Two quartets perform 2 p.m.
Concert 4: Two quartets perform
7:30 p.m. Concert 5: Two quartets perform
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2 p.m.
Concert 6 : Three quartets perform
4:30 p.m. Open Masterclass 7:30 p.m. Concert 7: Four quartets perform THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 Afternoon excursions available. (See page 23 for info) DAY 4: ROMANTIC ROUND & ALUMNI CONCERT
Three quartets perform a complete quartet from the romantic or nationalistic repertoire. 10:00 a.m. Concert 8: Three quartets perform 4:30 p.m. Open Masterclass 8 p.m.
Concert 9: Alumni Concert featuring 2016 First Place Laureates Rolston String Quartet
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Afternoon excursions available. (See page 23 for info)
DAY 6: SCHUBERTPLUS ROUND
DAY 5: CANADIAN COMMISSION ROUND & SPECIAL EVENT
All quartets perform the newly commissioned composition by Matthew Whittall. 9 a.m.
10 a.m.
8 p.m.
Lecture #3: A discussion between Matthew Whittall and Barry Shiffman Concert 10: All ten quartets perform the new work by Matthew Whittall Concert 11: SPECIAL EVENT! A Thousand Thoughts – A Live Documentary with Kronos Quartet
Oscar-nominated filmmakers Sam Green and Joe Bini have teamed up with Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet for a wildly creative multimedia performance piece that blends live music and narration with archival footage and filmed interviews with prominent artists.
Note: Schedule subject to change
All quartets perform a recital of no more than 30 minutes including a Schubert quartet and additional repertoire of their choosing. 9 a.m.
Lecture #4: Creativity and Mental Health with Dr. David Goldbloom
10:30 a.m. Concert 12: Three quartets perform 2 p.m.
Concert 13: Four quartets perform
7:30 p.m. Concert 14: Three quartets perform
Late evening – Announcement of the three finalists SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 DAY 7: FINALS
10 a.m.
Lecture #5: Tom Wilder of Wilder and Davis and Ric Heinl of George Heinl & Company discuss finding the perfect instrument match
2:00 p.m. Concert 15: Finals
The three finalists perform a quartet by Beethoven
Late afternoon – Announcement of the winning quartet
Lectures
Plan ahead
Package purchasers and passport holders enjoy exclusive access to the lecture series. An all-star line-up is planned to shed light on various topics from repertoire to instruments to the touring life of a string quartet.
With the purchase of your package or passport you also have the right of first refusal to keep the same seats from 2019, for the 2022 competition.
The lecture series is generously supported by Ernie and Sandra Green.
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AU D I E N C E PAC K AG E S 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 Duo
$ 3540 (single occupancy) $ 4920 (double occupancy)
WEEKEND PACKAGE Can’t make it for the entire week? Join us for the finals weekend. 4-Day Package (Thursday, Aug 29 – Monday, Sept 2, 2019) • 4 nights’ accommodation • tickets to all concerts and events commencing Thursday evening with the Alumni Gala and continuing through to the Finals • meals start at dinner on Thursday ** Solo Duo
$ 1880 (single occupancy) $ 2670 (double occupancy)
3-Day Package (Friday, Aug 30 – Monday, Sept 2, 2019) • 3 nights’ accommodation • tickets to all concerts and events commencing Friday evening with the Kronos Quartet and continuing through to the Finals • meals start at dinner on Friday ** Solo Duo 16
$ 1420 (single occupancy) $ 2030 (double occupancy)
Please Note: • all prices are in Canadian Dollars and include all taxes, Box Office Fees, and a $15 per night Banff Centre Facility Fee. • * full week packages include arrival day dinner, departure day breakfast, and breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday, August 26 to Sunday, September 1. NOTE: Wednesday, August 28 lunch is an exception and is not included in the package price. • ** weekend packages include all meals from arrival day dinner to departure day breakfast from Thursday, August 29 or Friday, August 30 (depending on which package is purchased) to Monday, September 2. PASSPORT (Monday, Aug 26 – Sunday, Sept 2, 2019) Tailored to our audiences who do not require accommodation or meals at Banff Centre, but still want to experience it all! Includes reserved seating to all performances and access to all lectures and special BISQC events. Passports represent savings of up to 20% off the cost of individual tickets. Adult Senior Student
$ 515 $ 470 (60 years +) $ 250 (with valid student ID)
ON SALE DATES: Packages/Passports: Pre-Purchase: December 12 – Jan. 2 (seats confirmed in January) General on sale: January 16 Individual Tickets: On sale: May 1 Three easy ways to book your BISQC getaway: 1. Book your package or passport at: bisqc.ca 2. Full week and weekend packages: Call Banff Centre Reservations team at 1.800.884.7574 or 403.762.6308. 3. Passport: call Banff Centre Box Office at 1.800.413.8368 or 403.762.6301
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Omer Quartet, BISQC 2016. Photo by Donald Lee.
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ERIC HARVIE THEATRE All performances during BISQC take place in the Eric Harvie Theatre at Banff Centre. When you purchase your package or passport, the same seat will be reserved for you for the entire competition. Simply fill out the “seat selection� section on-line to share with us your preferred seats. A representative from Banff Centre Box Office will be in touch after you have called or entered your application on-line. BB AA Z Y
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STAGE Wheelchair accessible Jury seating
Wheelchair and Accessibility Seating Requirements If anyone in your party requires wheelchair or other special access seating requirements, please include on your application or mention to the agent upon booking.
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INDIVIDUAL TICKET PRICING Individual tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
Concert
Student/ Child
Adult
Senior
1 to 8 & 10:
$ 35
$ 32
$ 18
9: Alumni Gala
$ 50
$ 45
$ 18
11: Kronos Quartet
$ 65
$ 60
$ 30
12, 13:
$ 45
$ 40
$ 22
14:
$ 55
$ 50
$ 25
15: Finals
$ 70
$ 65
$ 35
Senior: Student:
60 years + with valid student ID
In consideration of the nature of the competition, we recommend that children be 8 years of age and older.
Service charges Banff Centre is a not-for-profit organization and service charges help us to deliver exceptional customer service, and cover the costs of operating Banff Centre Box Office. For clarity all processing fees and taxes are included in accommodation package and single ticket pricing. Banff Centre Box Office: 1.403.762.6301 or 1.800.413.8368 bisqc.ca
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Rocky Mountain Range, Banff National Park. Photo by Chris Amat.
Top to bottom: Sentinel Pass Lake. Photo by Jake Dyson; Lake Agnes Tea House. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography. Images courtesy of Banff Lake Louise Tourism.
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EXPLORE THE CANADIAN ROCKIES Nestled in Canada’s first national park in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Banff attracts over 4 million visitors a year. With towering peaks and clear alpine lakes and streams, breath-taking scenery awaits at every turn. Sightseeing/Outdoor Activities: Be inspired and rejuvenated in this UNESCO World Heritage site, without missing any of the music. There will be three opportunities to join us for preplanned excursions in Banff National Park such as visits to the top of Sulphur Mountain on Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, or embark on your own outdoor activities and adventures. Information on excursion options will be available to resident audience members in June 2019.
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