Odin Quartet
CANADA
Spain Tour
February 10th - 15th
Concert Dates
BARCELONA
Wednesday, February 11
Conservatori de Bellaterra
Carrer de Ramon Llull,
16, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona
7:30 pm
PROGRAM
- Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3
– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - For Mor
– Samuel Bisson - California Coasting (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Ronald Royer - Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34 – IV. Rondo. Allegro giocoso
– Carl Maria von Weber - Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2
– Antonín Dvořák - Lullaby Liaisons
– Kye Marshall - Danza española No. 1 (from the opera La vida breve)
– Manuel de Falla
Llíria
Thursday, February 12
Església de la Sang
C. Mayor Antigua, 1,
46160 Llíria, Valencia
7:00 pm
PROGRAM
- Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3
– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - For Mor
– Samuel Bisson - Sevilla (Sevillanas) from Suite Española No. 1, Op. 47
– Isaac Albéniz - Asturias (Leyenda)
– Isaac Albéniz - String Quartet no. 2, Canzone lamentosa
– Ted Runcie - Searching for Sophia (for clarinet and string quartet, or variants like piano trio/oboe and strings)
– Elizabeth Raum - Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34 (movement IV: Rondo. Allegro giocoso)
– Carl Maria von Weber - Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2
– Antonín Dvořák - Oblivion
– Astor Piazzolla - Dialectics
– Daniel Mehdizadeh - Lullaby Liaisons
– Kye Marshall - California Coasting (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Ronald Royer - Danza española No. 1 (Spanish Dance No. 1 from the opera La vida breve)
– Manuel de Falla
Alcàsser
Friday, February 13
Centre Cultural Cristóbal Soler
Carrer Dionís Chanza, 14,
46290 Alcàsser, Valencia
7:00 pm
PROGRAM
Selections chosen from this list
- Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3
– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - For Mor
– Samuel Bisson - Sevilla (Sevillanas) from Suite Española No. 1, Op. 47
– Isaac Albéniz - Asturias (Leyenda)
– Isaac Albéniz - Searching for Sophia (for clarinet and string quartet, or variants like piano trio/oboe and strings)
– Elizabeth Raum
Fractal Furioso (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Bruno Degazio - Oblivion
– Astor Piazzolla - Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2
– Antonín Dvořák - California Coasting (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Ronald Royer - Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34 (movement IV: Rondo. Allegro giocoso)
– Carl Maria von Weber - String Quartet no. 2, Canzone lamentosa
– Ted Runcie - Vigil at Midnight
– Chris Meyer - Danza española No. 1 (Spanish Dance No. 1 from the opera La vida breve)
– Manuel de Falla
Cullera
Saturday, February 14
Auditorio municipal
(plaza de la Virgen)
7:30 pm
PROGRAM
Selections chosen from this list
- Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3
– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - For Mor
– Samuel Bisson - Asturias (Leyenda)
– Isaac Albéniz - California Coasting (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Ronald Royer - Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34 (movement IV: Rondo. Allegro giocoso)
– Carl Maria von Weber - Dialectics
– Daniel Mehdizadeh - Vigil at Midnight
– Chris Meyer - Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2
– Antonín Dvořák - Fractal Furioso (for clarinet and string quartet)
– Bruno Degazio - Danza española No. 1 (Spanish Dance No. 1 from the opera La vida breve)
– Manuel de Falla
ABOUT THE Quartet
The Odin Quartet, formed in 2015 and hailing from the heart of Toronto’s musical scene, derives its name from the Norse god Odin, revered for his insatiable thirst for wisdom and knowledge. Embodying Odin’s spirit of exploration, the quartet endeavors to redefine classical music’s role in contemporary storytelling.
At its core, the quartet is a testament to the diverse talents and backgrounds of its members. Alex Toskov, a virtuoso violinist and multi-instrumentalist, brings forth his Serbian heritage and musical depth from Belgrade, Serbia. Tanya Charles, an accomplished violinist and dedicated educator, channels her heritage from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines into her performances, infusing them with passion and cultural resonance. Matthew Antal, a violist with a keen ear for audio engineering, blends his Italian and Hungarian heritage seamlessly into the quartet’s fabric, adding technical finesse and musical sensitivity. Samuel Bisson, a cellist and accomplished composer of French Canadian descent, revitalizes the ensemble with his unique artistic vision and profound understanding of the cello’s voice.
Together, their collective artistry forms the cornerstone of the Odin Quartet’s musical exploration and innovation. Committed to broadening the reach of classical music, the quartet champions modern Canadian compositions alongside classical masterpieces, offering audiences a diverse and enriching musical experience.
Their performances have graced renowned festivals and concert series including Music Toronto, Music Niagara, Luminato Festival, Collingwood Festival, Guelph Connections, Concerts Ponticello and Ottawa Valley Music Festival, captivating audiences with their emotive interpretations and innovative programming.
During the challenging times of the pandemic, the Odin Quartet launched a project called “Lockdown Lullabies”, commissioning 28 original compositions from composers worldwide and premiering them over 2 evenings. These compositions, originating from diverse corners of the globe, including Canada, the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Norway, Brazil, France, Italy, China, and Spain fostered artistic connections across borders, serving as a beacon of hope and resilience during uncertain times.
Since 2018, the quartet has proudly served as the Ensemble-in-Residence for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, further solidifying their role as cultural ambassadors and community leaders in the Canadian music scene. Notably, the quartet has been featured as soloists with the orchestra on a new work by Samuel Bisson entitled “EPITAPH foratonality” which showcases the quartet’s collaborative spirit and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music.
Odin Quartet, under the Universal label, has released two albums, “Journey Through Night” (2021) and “Between the Lines” (2023), both offering premiere recordings that showcase the ensemble’s innovative approach and mastery in the contemporary classical music landscape. Additionally, their featured appearances on albums such as “From Oblivion to Hope” by Frank
Soloist
Kaye Royer
Clarinet
Kaye Royer is an active soloist, chamber musician and orchestral performer. She is principal clarinet with the Brantford Symphony, Canadian Sinfonietta, Sinfonia Toronto, Scarborough Philharmonic, Toronto Sinfonietta, and the Stratford Symphony. She has performed with orchestras such as the London Sinfonia, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Niagara Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Ontario Philharmonic, Talisker Players, Toronto Concert Orchestra, Arcady Orchestra, Mandel Philharmonic and Orchestra London. She performed with the orchestra on the Ontario portion of a Diana Krall world tour and toured China where she performed as principal clarinet with the Ontario Festival Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in the orchestra for such legends as Sarah Brightman, Michael Bolton, Il Divo, Il Volo, Richard Margison, Diana Kroll, Loreena McKennitt, Natalie McMaster and film composer David Rose.
As a recording artist, she was a featured soloist on Toronto Sinfonietta’s Romancing Chopin and The Winds of the Scarborough Philharmonic’s Canadian Panorama. She has played on The Hollywood Flute of Louise DiTullio, Conrad Chow’s Premieres, and the children’s album The Storyteller’s Bag. She has worked on the soundtracks of such films as Gooby (starring Robbie Coltrane and Eugene Levy), Prisma, The Dog and The Happy Couple, as well as an Alexanian Carpet commercial (actor and musician). She has been heard on radio broadcasts on Canadian stations CFMZ, CJRT-FM, CFWC-FM, and nationally on CBC 1 and 2. Her recordings have been broadcast numerous times in the United States on Satellite Radio and various National Public Radio stations.
Recent engagements include performing and recording a quintet with Máté Szűcs (soloist and former Principal Violist of the Berlin Philharmonic), violinist Joyce Lai, cellist Andras Weber, and pianist Talisa Blackman in the fall of 2019. She was hired as clarinetist to workshop a new production of Scott Joplin’s opera, Treemonisha. Past engagements include playing principal clarinet for live orchestra performances accompanying the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone motion picture in 2018, performing for the opening night of Luminato 2015, and performing for World Youth Day in Toronto attended by Pope John Paul II.
Kaye has performed as a soloist with orchestra in works by composers such as Mozart, Weber, R. Strauss, Beethoven (an arrangement of the violin concerto), Finzi, Milhaud, Dubois, Telemann, Jim McGrath, John Williams and her husband, composer Ronald Royer. She has been a soloist with Sinfonia Toronto, Niagara Symphony, Brantford Symphony, Canadian Sinfonietta, Stratford Symphony, CLW Chamber Orchestra (Los Angles), Susquehanna Symphony (Maryland), Toronto Sinfonietta, Scarborough Philharmonic, Mississauga Symphony, Oakville Chamber Orchestra, and the Symphony Hamilton Chamber Orchestra. She has performed a significant amount of chamber music, working with artists such as violist Jan Reznicek (Janacek Quartet, Czech Republic), violinists Conrad Chow, Carol Fujino, Corey Gemmell and Joyce Lai, the Odin String Quartet, and the Chamber Music Society of Mississauga.
Her principal teachers include Avrahm Galper, Royal Conservatory of Music; James Kanter, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles; Stephen Pierce, London College of Music, London England; and Larry Combs and John Bruce Yeh, Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
As a teacher, Kaye has an active private studio, as well as serving as the clarinet instructor at Havergal College, St Clements School, Bayview Glen and Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts. She has presented workshops and clinics at a number of schools, including St. Andrews College, Hillfield Strathallan College, Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, and the University of Toronto Schools. She is a Certified Advanced Specialist of the Royal Conservatory of Music.
composer
Ronald Royer
Composer
With numerous performances, commissions and commercial recordings, Ronald Royer is a prominent Canadian composer who strives to connect with audiences. Justin O’Dell of The Clarinet magazine writes: “Ronald Royer’s music is beautifully appealing and communicative”, while Stanley Fefferman of Showtimemagazine.ca contributes, “These masterful and witty pieces live up to Royer’s reputation for music that is both entertaining and imaginative.”
His concert music has been performed by more than 70 orchestras, including the international iPalpiti Orchestra in Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA), Sinfonia Finlandia (Finland), Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), Athens La Camerata (Greece), Joensuu City Orchestra (Finland), and Members of the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Germany). Canadian performances have included the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Orchestra London, Niagara Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony and Symphony New Brunswick. The Ontario Festival Symphony Orchestra performed his composition Exuberance on tour in China (available on YouTube). He has served as the composer-in-residence for Sinfonia Toronto, Mississauga Symphony (supported by the Canada Council for the Arts), Toronto Sinfonietta, Scarborough Philharmonic and the Brantford Symphony.
His music has been performed by such notables as French flute soloist and conductor, Patrick Gallois, Hungarian viola soloist and former Principal Violist of the Berlin Philharmonic Máté Szűcs, Canadian cellist Shauna Rolston, Canadian/Argentinian pianist Alexander Panizza, as well as ensembles such as the Gryphon Trio, St. Lawrence Quartet, and The Elmer Iseler Singers.
Mr. Royer has worked in film and theatre, and this includes (with co-composer Kevin Lau) the score for Gooby, starring Robbie Coltrane and Eugene Levy. He composed music for the theatrical production (and commercial recording) of The Storyteller’s Bag. He was commissioned to write a work for Canada Day celebrations at Niagara Falls. His work, Water and Light for live orchestra with fireworks was heard on July 1, 2006 by over 20,000 people.
Mr. Royer’s music is featured on 15 commercial recordings, with 6 on the Cambria Master Recordings label (distributed by Naxos). He has consistently received positive and enthusiastic reviews for his music. Performers on recordings include the Los Angeles Studio Orchestra (Jorge Mester, conductor), Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, (Tomas Koutnik), iPalpiti Orchestra (Eduard Schmieder), Sinfonia Toronto (Ronald Royer), 13 Strings of Ottawa (Simon Streatfeild), Toronto Sinfonietta (Matthew Jaskiewicz), Odin Quartet, HornPipes Duo, Chamber Music Society of Mississauga, Triofus, flutists Louise DiTullio and Nora Shulman, oboist Sarah Jeffrey, clarinets Tibi Cziger, Kaye Royer and Jerome Summers, violinists Conrad Chow and Aaron Schwebel, cellists Coenraad Bloemendal, Yves Dharamraj and Simon Fryer, trumpeters Brunette Dillon, Barton Woomert and Steven Woomert, hornist Gabriel Radford, and pianists Aaron Dou, Rachel Kerr and Lydia Wong. His commercial recordings and live performance recordings are regularly heard on radio, including the CBC and The New Classical FM in Canada and a number of NPR stations in the USA.
Born in Los Angeles into a family of professional musicians, he began his career as a cellist, performing with such ensembles as the Toronto Symphony, Utah Symphony, Pacific Symphony, and American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, as well as working in the Motion Picture and Television Industry in Los Angeles during the 1980’s. Having been inspired by working with a number of concert and film composers, Mr. Royer began serious studies in composition in the 1990’s, receiving a master’s degree in composition from the University of Toronto in 1997. His principal composition teachers were Alexander Rapoport, Walter Buczynski and Lothar Klein. Mr. Royer has received commissioning grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Laidlaw Foundation and more. He is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre.
In addition to composing, Mr. Royer is presently serving as the music director and conductor of the Scarborough Philharmonic and has guest conducted a number of orchestras. For 21 years, he worked as an Instructor of Music for the University of Toronto Schools. He continues to teach private lessons and be an advocate for music education. Mr. Royer is married to clarinetist Kaye Royer and has composed several works for her.