Steven Dann
Encyclopedia
Steven Dann is a Canadian
violist
, based in the United States
.
. He played the violin until 1970, when he switched to the viola. He began studying with Lorand Fenyves in Toronto
in 1972, and continued his studies until he graduated from the University of Toronto
in 1977. During this time, he also studied with Robert Pikler in Australia
, as well as William Primrose
and Bruno Giuranna
.
Dann has held the position of principal viola with a number of orchestras, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra
, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
in Amsterdam
, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
.
As soloist, Dann has performed concerti with several orchestras, as well as with conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy
, Sir John Eliot Gardiner
and Andrew Davis
. He has also commissioned concerti and chamber works from a number of composers, notably Alexina Louie
and Christos Hatzis
. He is a noted chamber musician as well as a member of the Axelrod Quartet
and the Smithsonian Chamber Players, both based in Washington, D.C.
Chamber music
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...
violist
Violist
-Notable violists:A* Julia Rebekka Adler * Sir Hugh Allen , conductor* Kris Allen * Johann Andreas Amon * Paul Angerer , composer* Steven Ansell * Atar Arad * Cecil Aronowitz...
, based in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Early years
Dann was born in Burnaby, British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He played the violin until 1970, when he switched to the viola. He began studying with Lorand Fenyves in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1972, and continued his studies until he graduated from the University of Toronto
University 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...
in 1977. During this time, he also studied with Robert Pikler in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, as well as William Primrose
William Primrose
William Primrose CBE was a Scottish violist and teacher.-Biography:Primrose was born in Glasgow and studied violin initially. In 1919 he moved to study at the then Guildhall School of Music in London. On the urging of the accompanist Ivor Newton, Primrose moved to Belgium to study under Eugène...
and Bruno Giuranna
Bruno Giuranna
Bruno Giuranna is an Italian violist.According to Giuranna's website:"Bruno Giuranna, born in Milan, completed his musical studies at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome receiving his diploma in violin and viola...
.
Dann has held the position of principal viola with a number of orchestras, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre Orchestra
The National Arts Centre Orchestra is an orchestra in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital. It is a classically-sized ensemble currently conducted by Pinchas Zukerman.-Description:Since 1998, Pinchas Zukerman has been the Music Director. Mario Bernardi C.C...
, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is a symphony orchestra of the Netherlands, based at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. In 1988, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands conferred the "Royal" title upon the orchestra...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...
, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
.
As soloist, Dann has performed concerti with several orchestras, as well as with conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy is a Russian-Icelandic conductor and pianist. Since 1972 he has been a citizen of Iceland, his wife Þórunn's country of birth. Since 1978, because of his many obligations in Europe, he and his family have resided in Meggen, near Lucerne in Switzerland...
, Sir John Eliot Gardiner
John Eliot Gardiner
Sir John Eliot Gardiner CBE FKC is an English conductor. He founded the Monteverdi Choir , the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique...
and Andrew Davis
Andrew Davis (conductor)
Sir Andrew Frank Davis CBE is a British conductor.Born in Ashridge, Hertfordshire to Robert J. Davis and his wife Florence J. née Badminton, Davis grew up in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, and in Watford. Davis attended Watford Boys' Grammar School, where he studied classics in his sixth form years...
. He has also commissioned concerti and chamber works from a number of composers, notably Alexina Louie
Alexina Louie
Alexina Louie, OC, FRSC is a Canadian composer of Chinese descent who has written many pieces for orchestra, as well as pieces for solo piano.-Biography:Alexina Louie was born in Vancouver and received an...
and 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...
. He is a noted chamber musician as well as a member of the Axelrod Quartet
Axelrod quartet
right|thumbnail|The Axelrod quartet, on display in the [[Smithsonian Institution]] [[National Museum of American History]]. From left to right:[[Greffuhle Stradivarius|Greffuhle violin]] , [[Axelrod Stradivarius|Axelrod viola]] , [[Ole Bull Stradivarius|Ole Bull violin]] , and [[Marylebone...
and the Smithsonian Chamber Players, both based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Discography
Viola music- BrahmsJohannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
Viola Works; Steven Dann (viola); Lambert Orkis (piano); Susan Platts (mezzo-soprano); ATMA Classique ACD2 2350 (2006)
-
- Sonata No.1 in F minor for viola and piano, Op.120 No.1 (1894)
- Sonata No.2 in E major for viola and piano, Op.120 No.2 (1894)
- 2 Gesänge (2 Songs) for alto, viola and piano, Op.91 (1884)
- Portrait of the Viola; Steven Dann (viola); Bruce Vogt (piano); Musica Viva MVCD1072 (1994)
- Rebecca ClarkeRebecca Helferich ClarkeRebecca Clarke was an English classical composer and violist best known for her chamber music featuring the viola. She was born in Harrow and studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music in London, later becoming one of the first female professional orchestral players...
– Sonata for viola and piano (1919) - Arnold BaxArnold BaxSir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, KCVO was an English composer and poet. His musical style blended elements of romanticism and impressionism, often with influences from Irish literature and landscape. His orchestral scores are noted for their complexity and colourful instrumentation...
– Legend for viola and piano (1929) - Igor StravinskyIgor StravinskyIgor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
– Élégie for viola solo (1944) - Ralph Vaughan WilliamsRalph Vaughan WilliamsRalph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
– Romance for viola and piano (c.1914) - Hermann Reutter – Cinco Caprichos sobre Cervantes (5 Caprices on Cervantes) for viola solo (1968)
- Jean CoulthardJean CoulthardJean Coulthard, was a Canadian composer and music educator. She was part of a trio of women composers who dominated Western Canadian music in the twentieth century: Coulthard, Barbara Pentland, and Violet Archer. All three died within weeks of each other in 2000...
– Sonata Rhapsody for viola and piano (1962)- Michael Conway BakerMichael Conway BakerMichael Conway Baker is a Canadian composer and music educator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1970 and has resided more or less continuously in the Vancouver area since....
– Counterplay for viola and string orchestra, Op.16 (1971); Steven Dann (viola); Kazuyoshi AkiyamaKazuyoshi Akiyamais a Japanese conductor.-Biography:Born into a musical family, he studied piano at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, but was fascinated by the conducting activities of a fellow student, Seiji Ozawa. He decided to study conducting with Hideo Saito...
(conductor); CBC Vancouver Orchestra; CBC Music (2001) - Luciano BerioLuciano BerioLuciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
– Sequenza VI for viola solo (1967); Steven Dann (viola); Naxos 8.557661-63 (2006) - Giovanni Battista Borghi – Sonata No.1 in D major for viola and double bass; Steven Dann (viola); Joel QuarringtonJoel QuarringtonJoel Quarrington , is a Canadian double bass player, soloist and teacher.He was born in Toronto, and began playing the double bass at the age of eleven in order to complete a bluegrass trio with his brothers, Paul Quarrington and Tony Quarrington...
(double bass); CBC Records 1108 (1999) - Christos HatzisChristos HatzisChristos 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 Mega4 Meta4 for viola and tape (1990); Steven Dann (viola); Centrediscs (1994) - Alexina LouieAlexina LouieAlexina Louie, OC, FRSC is a Canadian composer of Chinese descent who has written many pieces for orchestra, as well as pieces for solo piano.-Biography:Alexina Louie was born in Vancouver and received an...
– Winter Music, Chamber Concerto for viola and 11 instruments (1989); Steven Dann (viola); Owen Underhill (conductor); Vancouver New Music Ensemble; CBC Music (2001) - Godfrey RidoutGodfrey RidoutGodfrey Ridout was a Canadian composer, conductor, music educator, and writer. He contributed articles to numerous Canadian music publications, notably serving as the assistant editor of both Canadian Music and Canadian Review of Music and Art...
– Ballade for viola and string orchestra (1938); Steven Dann (viola); Victor FeldbrillVictor FeldbrillVictor Feldbrill, OC, O.Ont, FRHCM, is a Canadian conductor and violinist.He attended Harbord Collegiate Institute at an early age....
(conductor); Toronto Symphony OrchestraToronto Symphony OrchestraThe Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
; Centrediscs (1993) - Julius RöntgenJulius RöntgenJulius Engelbert Röntgen was a German-Dutch composer of classical music.-Life:Julius Röntgen was born in Leipzig, Germany, to a family of musicians. His father, Engelbert Röntgen, was first violinist in the Gewandhaus orchestra in Leipzig; his mother, Pauline Klengel, was a pianist, the aunt of...
– Sonata in C minor for viola and piano (1924); Steven Dann (viola); Dianne Werner (piano); RCA Red Seal 88697-15837-2 (2007) - John WeinzweigJohn WeinzweigJohn Weinzweig, OC, O.Ont was a Canadian composer of classical music.Born in Toronto, Weinzweig went to Harbord Collegiate Institute, and studied music at the university. In 1937, he left for the United States to study under Bernard Rogers...
– Tremologue for viola solo (1987); Steven Dann (viola); Centrediscs 5295 (1995)
- Michael Conway Baker
Chamber music
- Chamber Suite: Catherine Wilson and Friends; DoReMi (2008)
-
- Felix MendelssohnFelix MendelssohnJakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
– Sextet in D Major for piano and strings, Op. 110 (1824); Catherine Wilson, Marie Bérard, Steven Dann, Max Mandel, David Hetherington, Joel QuarringtonJoel QuarringtonJoel Quarrington , is a Canadian double bass player, soloist and teacher.He was born in Toronto, and began playing the double bass at the age of eleven in order to complete a bluegrass trio with his brothers, Paul Quarrington and Tony Quarrington... - Srul Irving GlickSrul Irving GlickSrul Irving Glick, CM was a Canadian composer, radio producer, conductor, and teacher.Born in Toronto, Ontario, he received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto 1955, and a Masters of Music , honorary FRCCO...
– The Old Toronter Klezmer Suite, Quintet for piano and strings (1998); Catherine Wilson, Marie Bérard, Steven Dann, David Hetherington, Joel QuarringtonJoel QuarringtonJoel Quarrington , is a Canadian double bass player, soloist and teacher.He was born in Toronto, and began playing the double bass at the age of eleven in order to complete a bluegrass trio with his brothers, Paul Quarrington and Tony Quarrington...
- Musique de Chambre Française; Susan Hoeppner (flute); Annalee Patipatanakoon (clarinet); Erika RaumErika RaumCanadian violinist Erika Raum began playing professionally at the age of twelve, and quickly rose through the ranks. She took first place at the 1992 Joseph Szigeti International Violin Competition in Budapest as well as the award for best interpretation of a Mozart concerto...
(violin); Joaquin Valdepenas (violin); Steven Dann (viola); Amanda ForsythAmanda ForsythAmanda Forsyth is a Juno Award-winning Canadian cellist, and is the principal cello of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.-Biography:...
(cello); Judy Loman (harp); Marquis Music (2005)
- Musique de Chambre Française; Susan Hoeppner (flute); Annalee Patipatanakoon (clarinet); Erika Raum
- Claude DebussyClaude DebussyClaude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
– Sonate en trio for flute, viola and harp, L.137 (1915) - Maurice RavelMaurice RavelJoseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
– Introduction et Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet (1905) - Albert RousselAlbert RousselAlbert Charles Paul Marie Roussel was a French composer. He spent seven years as a midshipman, turned to music as an adult, and became one of the most prominent French composers of the interwar period...
– Sérénade for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp, Op.30 (1925) - André JolivetAndré JolivetAndré Jolivet was a French composer. Known for his devotion to French culture and musical thought, Jolivet's music draws on his interest in acoustics and atonality as well as both ancient and modern influences in music, particularly on instruments used in ancient times...
– Chant de Linos for flute, violin, viola, cello and harp (1944)- Tālivaldis ĶeniņšTalivaldis KeninsTālivaldis Ķeniņš was a Canadian composer born in Latvia.Kenins's father was a lawyer, poet and government official, and his mother was a journalist. He first began playing piano at the age of five, and his first compositions followed at age eight...
– Piano Quartet No.2; Paul Meyer (violin); Steven Dann (viola); David Hetherington (cello), William Aide (piano); Centrediscs (1997) - MendelssohnFelix MendelssohnJakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
: Requiem für Fanny; Quatour Alcan; ATMA ClassiqueATMA ClassiqueATMA Classique is a Canadian record label based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1995, the company has over 300 titles in its catalogue and distributes in over 25 countries and on the internet. Several recordings released by the company have won Juno and Felix Awards....
(2007)
- Tālivaldis Ķeniņš
- String Quartet No.6 "Requiem für Fanny" in F minor, Op.80 (1847)
- Four Pieces for string quartet, Op.81
- String Quintet No.2 in B major, Op.87 (1845)
- Mendelssohn • Gade: Octets for Strings; Smithsonian Chamber Players; Sony Classical (1992)
- Felix Mendelssohn – String Octet in E major, Op.20 (1825)
- Niels Gade – String Octet in F major, Op.17 (1849)
- Right through the Bone: Julius RöntgenJulius RöntgenJulius Engelbert Röntgen was a German-Dutch composer of classical music.-Life:Julius Röntgen was born in Leipzig, Germany, to a family of musicians. His father, Engelbert Röntgen, was first violinist in the Gewandhaus orchestra in Leipzig; his mother, Pauline Klengel, was a pianist, the aunt of...
Chamber Music; ARC Ensemble; RCA Red Seal 88697-15837-2 (2007)
- Right through the Bone: Julius Röntgen
- Piano Quintet in A minor, Op.100 (1927)
- Trio in E major for clarinet, viola and piano (1921)
- Sonata in C minor for viola and piano (1924)
- String Sextet in G major (1931)
- Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
– Quintet in C major for 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos, D.956; Smithsonian Chamber Players; Sony Classical (1991) - Louis SpohrLouis SpohrLouis Spohr was a German composer, violinist and conductor. Born Ludewig Spohr, he is usually known by the French form of his name. Described by Dorothy Mayer as "The Forgotten Master", Spohr was once as famous as Beethoven. As a violinist, his virtuoso playing was admired by Queen Victoria...
: Octet, Sextet, Quintet; Smithsonian Chamber Players; Sony Classical (1993)
- Franz Schubert
- Double String Quartet No.1 in D minor, Op.65
- String Sextet in C major, Op.140
- String Quintet No.2 in G major "Grande Quintetto", Op.33 No.2
- Tōru TakemitsuToru Takemitsuwas a Japanese composer and writer on aesthetics and music theory. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu possessed consummate skill in the subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre...
– And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind for flute, viola and harp (1992); Robert AitkenRobert Aitken (composer)Robert Morris Aitken, is a Canadian composer and flautist. He began his career as a teenager playing in a number of orchestras, notably becoming the youngest principal flautist in the history of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 1958 at the age if 19. In 1971 he abandoned ensemble performance...
(flute); Steven Dann (viola); Erica Goodman (harp); Naxos (2003) - Mieczysław Weinberg – Piano Quintet, Op.18 (1944); ARC Ensemble; RCA Red Seal (2006)
- Tōru Takemitsu
- Felix Mendelssohn