Gryphon Trio
Encyclopedia
The Gryphon Trio is a Canadian classical music group formed in 1993. The ensemble has been nominated and has won several Juno award
s.
, the Trio tours regularly throughout Canada
, the United States
, and Europe
. Their recordings include works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn
, Dvorak
, Lalo and Shostakovich. With a commitment to expanding the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned and premiered over 50 works. Their 2004 recording, Canadian Premieres, features the work of Canadian composers and was awarded a Juno
. Their most recent recording, Tango Nuevo, features the music of Ástor Piazzolla
and Hilario Duran
, and is their tenth CD for the Analekta label.http://www.gryphontrio.com/pk_presskit.php
The Gryphon Trio celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Music Toronto performance that included the North American premiere of a recently discovered trio by the Romanian composer George Enescu
. The Gryphons were chosen for this honor by the Belgian musicologist Harry Halbreich
.
The tenth anniversary concert also launched the group’s fourth CD for Analekta featuring two trios from Beethoven’s Opus 1. Recorded in September 2002 in the Domaine Forget
in Saint-Irénée
, Quebec, these performances testify to the group’s ensemble skills. The repertoire gives room to explore dynamic range
and dramatic contrast, in particular with Beethoven’s weak-beat sforzandos, scherzos and adagios. The prestissimos are demanding, but the Gryphons never lose control. This recording has been compared to the performances released as Beaux Arts Trio
– The Early Years (Philips 438 948-2) and the Gryphons are said to hold their own even in such auspicious company.http://www.thewholenote.com/wholenote_apr_03/discoveries.html
In 2008, in a joint effort with Canadian composer Christos Hatzis
, the trio performed extensively his multi-media piece Constantinople which received international critical acclaim. Hatzis was rewarded a Juno Award
for the writing of the piece.
In 2011, the trio won their second Juno award for Classical Album of the Year for their recording of Beethoven's "Ghost" Piano Trio, Op. 70, no. 1, Op. 70, no. 2, and Op. 11.
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s.
History
The Gryphon Trio consitst of Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Roman Borys (cello) and Jamie Parker (piano). As a resident ensemble on the Faculty of Music at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, the Trio tours regularly throughout Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Their recordings include works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn
Mendelson is a Polish/German Jewish family name, meaning "son of Mendel", Mendel being a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew given name Menahem, meaning "consoling" or "one who consoles".Mendelssohn is the surname of a number of people:...
, Dvorak
Dvorák
- Dvořák or Dvorak :* Ann Dvorak , American film actress* Antonín Dvořák , Czech composer of Romantic music* August Dvorak , American psychologist, co-creator of the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard...
, Lalo and Shostakovich. With a commitment to expanding the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned and premiered over 50 works. Their 2004 recording, Canadian Premieres, features the work of Canadian composers and was awarded a Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
. Their most recent recording, Tango Nuevo, features the music of Ástor Piazzolla
Ástor Piazzolla
Ástor Pantaleón Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music...
and Hilario Duran
Hilario Durán
Hilario Durán is a Cuban jazz pianist.Durán studied at the Arnadeo Roldan Music Institute in Havana, studying tumbao with Evaristo Aparicio, composition and conducting from German Pifferrer, and orchestration from Guillermo Barreto. He formed a group in the 1970s called Los D'Siempre, which melded...
, and is their tenth CD for the Analekta label.http://www.gryphontrio.com/pk_presskit.php
The Gryphon Trio celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Music Toronto performance that included the North American premiere of a recently discovered trio by the Romanian composer George Enescu
George Enescu
George Enescu was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher.-Biography:Enescu was born in the village of Liveni , Dorohoi County at the time, today Botoşani County. He showed musical talent from early in his childhood. A child prodigy, Enescu created his first musical...
. The Gryphons were chosen for this honor by the Belgian musicologist Harry Halbreich
Harry Halbreich
Harry Halbreich is a Belgian musicologist.He studied with Arthur Honegger and later with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire. From 1970 to 1976 he was Lecturer in Musical Analysis at the Royal Conservatory in Mons...
.
The tenth anniversary concert also launched the group’s fourth CD for Analekta featuring two trios from Beethoven’s Opus 1. Recorded in September 2002 in the Domaine Forget
Domaine Forget
Domaine Forget is an international music festival as well as music and dance academy located near La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region of Quebec.-History:...
in Saint-Irénée
Saint-Irénée
Saint-Irénée may refer to;*Saint-Irenée, New Brunswick*Saint-Irénée, Quebec...
, Quebec, these performances testify to the group’s ensemble skills. The repertoire gives room to explore dynamic range
Dynamic range
Dynamic range, abbreviated DR or DNR, is the ratio between the largest and smallest possible values of a changeable quantity, such as in sound and light. It is measured as a ratio, or as a base-10 or base-2 logarithmic value.-Dynamic range and human perception:The human senses of sight and...
and dramatic contrast, in particular with Beethoven’s weak-beat sforzandos, scherzos and adagios. The prestissimos are demanding, but the Gryphons never lose control. This recording has been compared to the performances released as Beaux Arts Trio
Beaux Arts Trio
The Beaux Arts Trio was a noted piano trio. They made their debut on July 13, 1955 at the Berkshire Music Festival, known today as the Tanglewood Music Center. Their final American concert was held at Tanglewood on August 21, 2008. It was webcast live and archived on NPR Music...
– The Early Years (Philips 438 948-2) and the Gryphons are said to hold their own even in such auspicious company.http://www.thewholenote.com/wholenote_apr_03/discoveries.html
In 2008, in a joint effort with Canadian composer Christos Hatzis
Christos Hatzis
Christos Hatzis is a Greek Canadian composer currently a professor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.-Biography:Hatzis was born in Volos, Greece and received his early music instruction at the Volos branch of the Hellenic Conservatory...
, the trio performed extensively his multi-media piece Constantinople which received international critical acclaim. Hatzis was rewarded a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
for the writing of the piece.
In 2011, the trio won their second Juno award for Classical Album of the Year for their recording of Beethoven's "Ghost" Piano Trio, Op. 70, no. 1, Op. 70, no. 2, and Op. 11.