Quantum Mechanics

Jeffrey Ryan’s relationship with Music Toronto, Canada’s premier chamber music presenter, began in 1997, when MTO General Manager Jennifer Taylor named him Composer Advisor with the launch of its Contemporary Classics series. Ryan’s music was first heard on the Music Toronto stage in March of 2000, when MTO’s resident ensemble, the Toronto String Quartet, performed Quantum Mechanics, after taking it across the Atlantic provinces in a successful Début Atlantic tour. In the years that followed, the Toronto String Quartet evolved into the Music Toronto Chamber Society, Ryan introduced audiences to dozens of new works, and Music Toronto commissioned and presented two more of his quartets. The works on this disc were recorded during the Music Toronto Chamber Society’s final season, combining its outstanding string players together with a stellar array of guest performers. The result is the first CD devoted exclusively to the music of Jeffrey Ryan.

“The performances have an air of authenticity that leaves me incredulous at the thought they might ever be equalled, let alone, bettered.”
– Bob Oxley, Audio Ideas Guide

1. Bellatrix

2-4. Quantum Mechanics *

5. ecce homo

6. Stillpoint

7-9. Poison Wind

10. Two-by-Four

* This work was nominated for a 2008 JUNO: Classical Composition of the Year.

Cette oeuvre a été nominée pour un JUNO 2008: Meilleur composition classique.

PERFORMERS:

Analee Patipatanakoon (violin/violon)
Scott St. John (violin/violon, viola/alto)
David Harding (viola/alto)
Roman Borys (cello/violoncelle)
Beverley Johnston (percussion)
Erica Goodman (harp/harpe)
Susan Hoeppner (flutes/flûtes)
Penderecki String Quartet: Jeremy Bell (violin), Jerzy Kaplanek (violin), Christine Vlajk (viola), Simon Fryer (cello)
Dave Young (contrabass/contrabasse)
Richard Thomson (clarinet/clarinette)
Linda Bronicheski (french horn/cor)
Norman Engel (trumpet/trompette)
Gary Kulesha (conductor/chef d’orchestre)