Laval String Quartet/Quatuor Laval

Laval String Quartet/Quatuor Laval

Laval String Quartet/Quatuor Laval. String quartet founded in 1982 as part of the School of Music of Laval University by four teachers: György Terebesi (first violin), Michiko Nagashima (second violin), Chantal Masson (viola), and Huguette Morin (cello). The quartet made its debut 7 Apr 1982 at the Salle Henri-Gagnon of Laval University with a program devoted to Stravinsky. It has continued to perform in Canada and also in Europe. In Quebec it has been invited repeatedly by the Club musical de Québec, the Institut canadien, the Maison Alcan, and ARMuQ, in addition to its performances at various summer festivals including those of Quebec City, Sainte-Pétronille (Île d'Orléans), Domaine Forget in St-Irénée, Orford Art Centre and the Festival international de Lanaudière. It has also given recitals or masterclasses at several Canadian and US universities. The concerts of the quartet have frequently been broadcast on CBC radio. The repertoire of the ensemble is eclectic, ranging from the classics to 20th century composers. A special place is reserved for past and present Canadian composers: the ensemble has performed Antoine Dessane's Fantaisie-Sonate for string quartet and flute, and string quartets by Alain Gagnon, Jacques Hétu, Jean Papineau-Couture, Clermont Pépin, André Prévost, and Harry Somers. The quartet has had a favourable reception from the critics: Claude Gingras, for instance, wrote that 'From the very first bars, the Laval String Quartet commands attention as a powerful group' (Montreal La Presse, 3 Feb 1986).