Montréal’s renowned Quatuor Bozzini pays a visit to Toronto on March 21, presented by Soundstreams. Quatuor Bozzini has developed an international reputation and distinctive sound alongside a commitment to new and experimental work.
The program features Toronto premieres by composers Taylor Brook, Zosha Di Castri, and Cassandra Miller that were co-commissioned by Quatuor Bozzini with Time:Spans Festival and Le Vivier.
Also on the program are six premieres by the artists of Soundstreams Bridges Emerging Composers Program in a showcase of emerging Canadian and international voices.
Quatuor Bozzini
Quatuor Bozzini is: Clemens Merkel, violin, Alissa Cheung, violin, Stéphanie Bozzini, viola, and Isabelle Bozzini, cello.
“Canada has such an extraordinary wealth of compositional talent, past and present,” said Soundstreams Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney in a statement.
“While we can name many Canadian artists in other genres who have gained international fame, among composers, it is often either Claude Vivier and/or R. Murray Schafer whose names are recognized beyond our own borders. Important as fostering their legacy is, this program celebrates and highlights a new generation of composers who are earning that recognition. And there is no ensemble in Canada that has done more to foster Canadian music inside and outside our country than Quatuor Bozzini.”
The Quatuor is celebrating their 25th anniversary with the three commissioned works by Canadian composers of distinction. Both Cassandra Miller and Taylor Brook are alumni of Quatuor Bozzini’s Composer’s Kitchen Workshop.
Cassandra Miller is a longtime collaborator with Quatuor, and has composed several works for them, including About Bach (2016), winner of the Jules Léger Prize, and Thanksong (2020). Miller’s new work revolves around memory, and memories of music in particular.
In prior collaborations with Quatuor Bozzini, Taylor Brook composed Musique de chambre (noire) (2012, film+music). For the new piece, Taylor has created a form of microtonal folk music that was inspired by Vineta, the legendary sunken city of the Baltic Sea.
Zosha Di Castri is working with Quatuor Bozzini for the first time. Zosha’s composition pushes the envelope in exploring the textures and sonic possibilities of the string quartet.
Soundstreams Bridges Emerging Composers Program
Zosha Di Castri and Cassandra Miller were the mentors for the current roster of artists enrolled in the Bridges Emerging Composers Program. This year’s composers are: Alexander Bridger, Liam Gibson, and Lily Koslow from Canada; Justine Leichtling from the United States; Ana-Maria Oancea from Romania; and Ho Chi So from Hong Kong.
This next generation of compositional voices from Canada, the US, Romania, and Hong Kong have each developed dynamic short works under Di Castri’s and Miller’s mentorship.
Bridges is Soundstreams’ flagship annual program for emerging composers. For the applicants who are selected, it offers a week of intensive mentorship and creativity, tuition-free. They work with renowned composers, and hear their works performed by talented professional ensembles. It’s a big step in their professional development, including hands-on training and networking opportunities.
The Concert
The concert takes place on March 21, 2026 at the Jane Mallett Theatre in Toronto.
- Find show details and tickets [HERE].
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