Banff International String Quartet Competition Rounds 4 and 5. Cecilia Wins!

The Beethoven /Schubert Round, the fourth, is the last task necessary to win or place here at BISQC. Completing it has proven Herculean in scope and so far, has been met with less than complete success.

By 5 o’clock we had heard Beethoven Opus 59 no. 1 first by Asasello SQ (Germany) and then by Peresson SQ (USA). Opus 59 no. 2 was played by Hausmann SQ (USA). Late Beethoven included Opus 131 by Amaryllis SQ (Germany/Switzerland) and Opus 127 by the Cecilia SQ (Canada). Atrium SQ (Russia) played the only Schubert in this round, Death and the Maiden.
Whatever the x factor; fatigue, nerves or just fickle fate, by afternoon’s end there had hardly been a trouble free performance.

The Peresson SQ (USA) was an exception to the situation. They played the second Opus 59 no. 1.It was a moment to exhale when violinist Nigel Armstrong took things in hand. Of course it was cellist Julian Schwarz who moved it into action and altogether they formed once again their particular fine blend. I would call it a good Beethoven.

Here is the rest of the story, 24 hours later, in case you haven’t heard.

Competition lasted to the very end. Quatuor Zaïde played last-Beethoven Opus 131. One hour later announcement came that they were finalists. That last performance had earned many points.
Noga SQ (France) should be especially thanked for a spectacular Opus 59 no.2. Many pronounced it the best Beethoven performance of the day.
The Afiara SQ (Canada), Cecilia SQ (Canada), and Quatuor Zaïde (France) advanced to the finals.
I slept on the results and went over my notes in the morning.
The evening session had been the definitive moment.
Quatuor Zaïde entered a door left open by earlier events. Though many were surprised, recalling their accomplishments revealed that they had earned this result. To succeed, the six movement Zemlinsky no. 4 required as much focus and endurance as Beethoven 131. After that the Schumann Op.41 no. 1 was satisfyingly true to form.
The Afiara was strong from the start .The Berg Lyric Suite was the shot that set the competition to action. They did not presume, however. They put their hearts into the Mendelssohn Op.13.
The Cecilia SQ (Canada) immediately showed intent by being wonderful players of Haydn. Points then accrued from the Lyric Suite by Berg, and especially from the f minor Opus.80 Mendelssohn. Opus 127 Beethoven put them over the top.

Round Five
The Afiara SQ (Canada), Cecilia SQ (Canada) and the Quatuor Zaïde are all winners. The final ranking, however, brings dramatically different impact on the careers of these musicians.
The Competition Jury http://www.banffcentre.ca/bisqc/2010/jury/ expedited by two official mathematicians pronounced this result.
The Cecilia SQ (Canada) wins first place.
With one composition, Dvorak Op.106 no.13 they seized the moment to put the crowning touch on a brilliant week.
The Afiara SQ (Canada) wins second place. Bartok no. 3 was distinct in excellence. Beethoven Opus 18 no. 1 preceded it. For these as in all before, heart and mind came together, giving spirit to all their performances.
Quatuor Zaïde (France) wins third place.
Quartet-Satz by Schubert was a prayer of blessing for the opening of round five.
Ravel Quartet in F was a promise tres doux, an invitation to future accomplishment.

Afiara SQ won the Székely Beethoven Prize.
Cecilia SQ won the Canadian Commission Prize.

Sadly there are no more minutes in the 42 hour BISQC listening bank.
BISQC 2010 is adjourned.
Still enjoy listening here http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod.