The quartet performed 34 seasons together
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The St. Lawrence Quartet (SLSQ) has announced that the 2023-2024 season will be its last, disbanding after 34 seasons together. The ensemble had taken a one-year hiatus, following the death of founding violinist Geoff Nuttall. It comprises violinist Owen Dalby, violist Lesley Robertson, and cellist Christopher Costanza.
The quartet was established in Toronto in 1989 and rose to prominence with a win at the 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition. SLSQ studied with notable ensembles including the Emerson Quartet, Tokyo Quartet, and Juilliard Quartet.
The group played in prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Concertgebouw, and the Berlin Philharmonie, as well as performing in prisons, construction sites, and hospitals. It was the ensemble-in-residence at the US Spoleto Festival for 25 years.
SLSQ collaborated with many artists, including conductor Gustavo Dudamel, cellist David Finckel, and pianist Menahem Pressler, and released numerous albums on labels including EMI, Naxos, EASonus, and Phenotypic Recordings.
‘We have had the adventure of our lives,’ the quartet said. ‘We can’t imagine a more gratifying, challenging, inspiring, exasperating, deeply joyful, heartbreaking, life-affirming experience than this joint effort over so many years. We are profoundly grateful to have had the opportunity to explore the magic kingdom of the string quartet repertoire together – and for the deep friendships, beautiful discoveries and transformative life lessons learned along the way.’
Read: ‘Go where there is no path and leave a trail’ - Emerson Quartet: We journey together
Listen: The Strad Podcast #92: remembering violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence String Quartet
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