When the Gryphon Trio takes the stage of the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Friday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m., the Valley Concert Society will be welcoming one of Canada’s most venerable classical music performing groups.
Violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon, cellist Roman Borys, and pianist Jamie Parker are now in their 33rd year as an ensemble. They came together in 1993 when all three were members of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto.
This longevity is truly remarkable. There are numerous other ensembles who have existed for that long and longer, but not without changing members along the way. For example, the famed Juilliard String Quartet has been in existence since 1946. However, starting from 1993, when the Gryphon Trio formed, the Juilliard has had five different first violinists, three second violinists, three violists, and two cellists. The quartet playing under the name Juilliard in 2025 is completely different from the one playing in 1993.
For the Gryphon Trio, their many years together have led to outstanding musical achievements and have garnered them the respect of the classical music world not only in Canada but around the world.
They have produced twenty-two recordings. Fully half of these have been nominated for a Juno Award, and three have won the award as Classical Album of the Year. These recordings cover the range from much-loved favourites to brand new commissioned works and include some truly creative ventures.
Described as “endlessly inventive”, they have collaborated with a long list of musicians and artists from other creative fields.
As dedicated educators, they serve as Artists-in-Residence at the University of Toronto and hold masterclasses across North America. Their flagship educational initiative Listen Up!, which has reached eighteen communities across Canada, is a year-long program for elementary school students featuring workshops in music, poetry, and visual art presented by leading Canadian artists.
We are thrilled to welcome them back for their third appearance with the Valley Concert Society. Their program will include music by Beethoven, Dvorak, and Jeffrey Ryan.
Tickets for this concert are available online at www.valleyconcertsociety.com at $32 for adults and $20 for students.
For more information, call 604-289-3377.
John Wiebe - President
The Valley Concert Society