The St. Lawrence String Quartet is probably the finest quartet ever produced in Canada. It was founded in 1989, it is currently in residence at Stanford University and tours internationally. But the first violinist of the SLSQ, Geoff Nuttall, is also the director of chamber music at the Spoleto Festival USA. In just a few years he has made a great impact on the festival both for his programming and for his quirky and entertaining introductory comments (see this recent NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/arts/music/geoff-nuttall-the-jon-stewart-of-chamber-music.html?pagewanted=all
Geoff’s colleagues in the SLSQ are also in residence in Spoleto and they are joined by some of the most illustrious names in music for daily chamber music performances. Unfortunately, this year’s festival has just ended but mark your calendar for next year. The Spoleto Festival USA is held in Charleston, SC in late May and early June every year. Charleston is a great city to visit and the music could hardly be better. For more about the festival visit the website: www.spoletousa.org.
Later this year the SLSQ will have a personnel change. Violinist Scott St. John is leaving. The SLSQ plans to announce his successor in the fall of 2013.
Paul E. Robinson