This January, Garneau String Quartet and Philip Chiu transport you to the fabled British Isles, performing classical selections as atmospheric and enchanting as the lands from which they came.
When these artists join together in concert, strings and piano meet in a rich musical conversation which ranges from intimate detail to powerful collective sound.
CBC Music writes of pianist Philip Chui’s “astonishing interpretive and technical proficiency … and he makes it all seem effortless.” Chui is a Juno Award Winner and the first-ever recipient of the Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer. The Garneau String Quartet is recognized as a vital presence in the Canadian classical landscape, and currently serves as Chamber Program Leadership at the Winspear Centre.
The program moves through Purcell’s Fantasias, Elgar’s haunting piano quintet composed in the shadow of the First World War, and a suite of folk songs written by John Fields, who is often credited as the originator of the piano nocturne.
Together, we’ll savour music of remarkable beauty, character, and expressive range as the Garneau String Quartet and Philip Chiu bring these enduring works to vivid life.
Garneau String Quartet violin, viola & cello
The Garneau String Quartet has delighted audiences in their home of Edmonton and at festivals across Canada.
The quartet is comprised of violinists Robert Uchida and Laura Veeze, violist Keith Hamm, and cellist Julie Hereish. They served as the Quartet-in-Residence at the MacEwan University Conservatory of Music, and now direct the Chamber Music Academy for Young Artists at the Winspear Centre for Music Conservatory.
Robert, Laura, Keith, and Julie gratefully acknowledge the support of the descendants of Eleanor and Laurent Garneau, for whom music and music making was, and is, a great source of inspiration and expression.
“… a gripping performance, high energy, complete commitment … ”
Phillip Chiu piano
Renowned for his “pianist-painter” artistry that transforms sound into vivid colour (La Presse), Philip Chiu is recognized as one of Canada’s most distinctive pianists. He has earned a reputation for performances that combine virtuosic mastery with an instinctive ability to create genuine connections with audiences.
Chiu has performed across Canada, the United States, Japan, and France, appearing in major venues and festivals and collaborating with many of today’s foremost artists. His Juno-winning album Fables (ATMA Classique) and its successor Voyages—a tribute to his birthplace of Hong Kong—form part of an ambitious triptych project.
Authentic, imaginative, and deeply human, Philip Chiu continues to redefine what it means to be a classical pianist in the 21st century—an artist whose performances invite listeners on an emotional journey while affirming his role as both a cultural storyteller and a leading ambassador for Canadian music.
“… a pianist-painter who turns every musical idea into a beautiful array of colors.”
