Did you add increasing your viewing of live music to your 2016 list of resolutions? Start off the new year right with Creston Concert Society's presentation of the Borealis String Quartet on Saturday and help fulfill that goal.
One of the most dynamic and exciting world-class ensembles of its generation, the Borealis String Quartet has received international critical acclaim as an ensemble praised for its fiery performances, passionate style, and refined, musical interpretation.
Founded in Vancouver in the fall of 2000 and rapidly establishing a stellar reputation, Borealis has toured extensively in North America, Europe and Asia, and performed to enthusiastic sold-out audiences in major cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Rome, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and, of course, in their home town, where they were invited to perform during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Borealis has continued to receive awards and rave accolades from presenters, renowned musicians and critics alike for their artistry and their passionate performances of innovative programs combining eastern and western music.
Borelais includes violinist Patricia Shih, who, at age 14, became a pupil of the legendary Josef Gingold at Indiana University. Gingold described her as “one of the greatest talents that I have ever taught. Her great technique, inborn musicality, sense of style and virtuosity are unequalled.” Shih has appeared worldwide as soloist and recitalist in major halls, including Wigmore Hall in London and Carnegie Hall in New York, performing the Henri Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
Violinist Yuel Yawney frequently appears as both a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed extensively in Canada, the United States and the Czech Republic, where he completed his advanced training at the Prague Academy with Joseph Suk. He also studied at the Harid Conservatory in Florida and at Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Texas.
Cellist Sung Yong Lim graduated with honors from the renowned Yewon and Seoul arts schools before entering into the Korea National University of Arts. During his university studies, he decided to further advance his studies in Europe, having been admitted to the University of Music Detmold in Germany, where he pursued bachelor’s, master’s and konzertexamen’s degrees.
Violist Nikita Pogrebnoy was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he graduated from the world-famous St. Petersburg Conservatory with highest honors. He then came to the United States by the invitation of Victor Rosenbaum, director of the Longy School of Music, who, after hearing his performance, awarded him a full scholarship to study in Cambridge, Mass. Since then, he has appeared as both soloist and with various chamber ensembles across Russia, Spain, Central America and the United States, and has been broadcast on both television and radio in the United States.
Exploring a synergy of classical, fusion, folk and world music, Borealis has recorded seven CDs; their first, Classic Borealis, has garnered international critical acclaim.
Borealis is passionate about stretching the boundaries of the classical string quartet and transforming the chamber music concert experience. Using thematic and innovative programming, popular music for younger generations, videos and cameras to enrich the visual presentation, as well as speaking from the stage to better engage the audience, Borealis has attracted new audiences into the concert hall and is recreating the chamber music experience.
“They were not going to let anyone cling to their sober stereotypes of classical music and chamber quartets,” said the Globe and Mail. “The four musicians from British Columbia practically flew out of their chairs, so vigorous and physical was their playing.”
Although Borealis is strongly committed to the great traditional quartet literature, they actively seek to promote new works and are strong advocates of Canadian music, with works by T. Patrick Carrabre, R. Murray Schafer, Omar Daniels, Barbara Pentland and Jocelyn Morlock among others in their repertory. They have also worked closely with and commissioned music from Michael Conway Baker, Bramwell Tovey and American composer Steven Dankner. B.C. composer John Oliver wrote a work for zheng (a traditional Chinese instrument) and string quartet for the Borealis, which was recorded with virtuoso zheng performer Mei Han.
Borealis String Quartet performs at the Prince Charles Theatre on at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students, available at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books and Creative Fix, or $25/$12 at the door.
—CRESTON CONCERT SOCIETY