Reviewed by: Gail Wein
Published: August, 2025
Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, the 15th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) brought together nine quartets, seven judges, and more than 500 eager listeners for a week of world-class music making. Today, BISQC announced its grand prize winner: the Poiesis Quartet from Cincinnati, United States.
Chosen as one of three finalists from ensembles spanning three continents, Poiesis distinguished itself with bold programming, vibrant attire, and electrifying stage presence. The Arete Quartet of Seoul, South Korea, earned second place, while Quartet KAIRI of Salzburg, Austria, took third.
Throughout the week, competitors navigated four demanding rounds, ranging from Haydn to Romantic masterworks, Beethoven and Schubert paired with 20th-century repertoire, and a newly commissioned piece by Canadian-American-Hungarian composer Kati Agócs.
In the finals, Poiesis impressed both jury and audience with an eclectic lineup featuring works by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, Brian Raphael Nabors, Joe Hisaishi, and Kevin Lau—a fearless mix that underscored the quartet’s adventurous spirit.
As grand prize winners, Poiesis receives:
- $25,000 CAD
- International concert tours across Europe and North America
- A one-year residency at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
- Additional residencies at Britten Pears Arts (England), the Banff Arts Centre, and the Esterházy Foundation(Austria)
Poiesis Quartet—made up of violinists Sarah Ying Ma and Max Ball, violist Jasper de Boor, and cellist Drew Dansby—takes its name from the ancient Greek word meaning “to make.”
Already a seasoned ensemble, Poiesis has toured internationally in Uruguay and Italy. The group’s debut album, as we are (Bright Shiny Things label), highlights their commitment to contemporary music with world-premiere recordings of works by Clint Needham and Richard Stout, alongside mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby.
Founded in 1983 and held every three years, BISQC has launched the careers of many acclaimed ensembles, including the St. Lawrence, Miró, and Dover Quartets. Since 2006, Barry Shiffman has directed the competition, cementing its reputation as one of the world’s premier showcases for emerging string quartets.
All performances from the 2025 edition are available to watch on demand at the BISQC website.