Intermezzo at 1pm: Celebrating the 2025 Banff International String Quartet competition

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Why This Matters

The Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC), held triennially since 1983 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, is one of the most prestigious chamber music competitions in the world. This year’s event (August 25–31, 2025) brings together ten remarkable quartets from across Asia, Europe, and North America. The prize package includes over CAD $500,000 in cash, residencies, touring and recording opportunities, and career development programs

These quartets represent the future of chamber music—and Classical 107 is thrilled to carry that inspiration into your afternoon playlists.

Daily Lineup at Classical 107

Monday, August 25 –Haydn Round

Haydn, Op. 76 No. 1 in G major “Sunrise” (Kodály Quartet)

Haydn’s nickname as the “Father of the String Quartet” is well earned. With over 80 quartets to his name, he didn’t just develop the form—he gave it its voice. The “Sunrise” from his Op. 76 set opens with a radiant theme that seems to climb into the light, giving the quartet its poetic title. Written in the 1790s, these late quartets show Haydn at the height of his powers: playful, inventive, and emotionally deep. They became a model for Mozart, Beethoven, and generations to follow.

Tuesday, August 26 – Haydn Round

Haydn, Op. 74 No. 3 in G minor “The Rider” (Hagen Quartet)

Known for its galloping finale, the “Rider” quartet gallops from the very first bars. Written in 1793 during Haydn’s celebrated visits to London, the quartet is full of fire and rhythmic drive. While the Op. 76 quartets lean toward expansiveness, the Op. 74 set brims with dramatic flair—designed to thrill public audiences rather than private salons. It’s no wonder this particular work has remained a concert favourite, thanks to its vitality and Haydn’s razor-sharp wit.

Wednesday, August 27 -Romantic Round

Schubert, String Quartet No. 14 in D minor “Death and the Maiden” (Emerson Quartet)

Few quartets in history are as searingly emotional as Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden.” Written in 1824, after Schubert had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, the piece confronts mortality head-on. Its slow movement is a set of variations on his earlier song of the same name, where Death consoles a frightened young girl. From the fierce opening to the storm-tossed finale, this quartet compresses drama, anguish, and resignation into music of extraordinary power. It remains one of the cornerstones of the Romantic repertoire.

Thursday, August 28 – Romantic Round

Schumann, String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 (St. Lawrence String Quartet)

Robert Schumann turned to the string quartet relatively late, inspired by his wife Clara’s encouragement and after immersing himself in the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. His three Op. 41 quartets, all written in 1842—his so-called “chamber music year”—blend lyrical warmth with Romantic intensity. The A minor quartet, the first of the set, reveals Schumann’s gift for song-like melodies and restless harmonic colour, traits that distinguish his voice from his predecessors. It is chamber music steeped in both intimacy and passion.

Friday, August 29 – Contemporary Round

Philip Glass, String Quartet No. 3 “Mishima” (Attacca Quartet)

Philip Glass composed his third quartet in 1985, adapted from his score for Paul Schrader’s film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters. In six short movements, Glass paints musical portraits of different stages in the life of the controversial Japanese author Yukio Mishima. The music balances Glass’s trademark pulsing minimalism with moments of surprising tenderness and stillness. “Mishima” has since become one of Glass’s most performed quartets, bridging the worlds of concert music and film, and proving the quartet form is alive and evolving in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Competition’s Cast of Competitors

Ten quartets from around the globe will compete in Banff this year:

Arete Quartet (Seoul, South Korea)

Cong Quartet (Hong Kong, China)

Quatuor Elmire (Paris, France)

Quartett HANA (Munich, Germany)

Quartet KAIRI (Salzburg, Austria)

Quatuor Magenta (Paris, France)

Myriade String Quartet (Montreal, Canada)

Nerida Quartet (Bremen, Germany)

Poiesis Quartet (Cincinnati, USA)

Viatores Quartet (Berlin, Germany)

They range from rising stars like the Arete Quartet—winners of major international competitions (Prague Spring, Salzburg Mozart, Lyon) to Cong Quartet, whose artistry is rooted in rich cultural expression and top international recognition

A Touch of BISQC History

Founded in 1983 for Banff Centre’s 50th anniversary, BISQC has nurtured careers of some of today’s finest quartets—such as the Isidore String Quartet (2022 laureates), Marmen and Viano Quartets (2019), Rolston Quartet (2016), Dover Quartet (2013), Cecilia Quartet (2010), Miró Quartet (1998), and the St. Lawrence String Quartet (1992)

Why This Week of Quartets Matters

By following the Banff competition’s daily themes—from Haydn’s foundations to Schubert’s drama, Schumann’s lyricism, and Glass’s modern edge—listeners can hear the arc of the quartet tradition. These works aren’t just historical landmarks: they’re living, breathing pieces that continue to inspire today’s performers and composers.