Quartetto Gelato

Quartetto Gelato is a Canadian classical crossover quartet with current members Colin Maier, Charles Cozens, Kirk Starkey, and Tino Konstantin Popovic, and based in Hamilton, Ontario. Their musical repertoire consists of a mix of classical masterworks with tangos, gypsy, klezmer, jazz, and folk songs from around the world. They usually play without musical scores and their performances include elements of humour and dance.[1]

Quartetto Gelato
OriginHamilton, Ontario, Canada
GenresNew Classical
Years active1994–present
LabelsLinus Universal
Websitequartettogelato.ca
MembersColin Maier
Charles Cozens
Kirk Starkey
Tino Konstantin Popovic

History

Quartetto Gelato was originally formed in 1989 in Toronto[2][3] and the founding members were Cynthia Steljes, her husband Peter de Sotto, George Meanwell, and Claudio Vena. They began performing as part of the emerging "new classical" scene, and in 1996 the group was named NPR Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year.

Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk took their first two CDs with him during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia in 1997.[2] By 2007, the ensemble had recorded six albums of music and had sold 150,000 CDs.[2]

Quartetto Gelato has changed members over the years. Cynthia Steljes left the group because of ill health and died in 2006.[4] Oboist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Colin Maier joined in 2009,.[5] Cellist Liza McLellan joined at about that same time and then left in 2018. Accordionist Alexander Sevastian, who had joined the ensemble in 2004, died suddenly on Friday, February 16, 2018 while on tour with the ensemble in Ajijic, Mexico.[6] Cellist Kirk Starkey and accordionist Charles Cozens joined in May 2018. The group was joined by violinist Tino Konstantin Popovic when founding member Peter de Sotto retired in the fall of 2019.

Quartetto Gelato performs throughout Canada and internationally,[7][8][2] in recital, as soloists with orchestra, and as guests at classical and crossover concerts.[9]

Awards and nominations

In 1995 Quartetto Gelato was nominated for a Juno Award as Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year; their album Quartetto Gelato was nominated for "Best Classical Album by a Solo or Chamber Ensemble".[10] In 1996 the group was named "Debut Artist of the Year" by NPR Performance Today. In 1999, Quartetto Gelato's La Danza was received two nominations at the Gemini Awards: "Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series", and "Best Editing in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series".

In 2005, the show Canada Day 2004: Merci Montréal, in which the group participated, was nominated for "Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series'" at the Gemini Awards. Also, in 2010 Quartetto Gelato was named "Best Classical Group" at the Independent Music Awards during Canadian Music Week.

Current members
  • Colin Maier — oboe, voice, English horn, clarinet, guitar, mandolin, piano, musical saw
  • Charles Thomas Cozens — accordion
  • Kirk Starkey — cello
  • Tino Konstantin Popovic — violin

Former Musicians
  • Peter de Sotto — violin and tenor. Founder of QG
  • Cynthia Steljes (deceased) — oboe, English horn
  • Kristina Reiko Cooper — cello
  • Elinor Frey — cello
  • Lydia Munchinsky — cello
  • Joseph Macerollo — accordion
  • George Meanwell — guitar, cello, mandolin
  • Claudio Vena — accordion, viola
  • Shalom Bard — clarinet
  • Carina Reeves — cello
  • Kornel Wolak — clarinet
  • Alexander Sevastian (deceased) — accordion, piano
  • Liza McLellan — cello and bass

Discography

Albums
  • Quartetto Gelato (1993)
  • Rustic Chivalry (1996)
  • Aria Fresca (1998)
  • Neapolitan Café (2001)
  • Quartetto Gelato Travels the Orient Express (2004)
  • Musica Latina (2009)
  • The Magic of Christmas (Quartetto Gelato album) The Magic of Christmas (2010)
  • All Original - 100% Canadian (2015)[11][12]

Commissions of New works

Quartetto Gelato has commissioned works from Canadian composers including Rebecca Pellett, Howard Cable, Michael Occhipinti, Hilario Duran, Charles Cozens, and Jossy Abramovich.

Compilations
  • Favourite Flavours (2005)

Guest appearances

Videography
  • Quartetto Gelato - La Danza (Music Video) (1998)
  • CBC's Canada Day 2004: Merci Montreal! (2004)
  • Quartetto Gelato Explores Music and Wine DVD (2006)
  • Romanian Caravan (2010)
  • Border Crossing (2012)
  • Liza's Dream (2016)

References
  1. " Quartetto Gelato brimming with humour as well as fine musicianship". Waterloo Region Record, January 24, 2014, By Valerie Hill
  2. "Musician co-founded the `Ice Cream Quartet'". Toronto Star, Meghan Waters, Jan. 5, 2007
  3. "Genre-bending quartet treads the high wire". Toronto Star, John Terauds, Jan. 14, 2010
  4. "Quartetto Gelato co-founder dies". CBC Arts, Jan 03, 2007
  5. "Entertaining & energetic evening with Quartetto Gelato". Jeff DeDekker, Regina Leader-Post, October 11, 2015
  6. "Quartetto Gelato Accordionist Passes Away Suddenly" Wah Keung Chan La Scena Musicale Feb 19, 2018
  7. "MUSIC REVIEW: Quartetto Gelato serves up exotic flavors". Herald-Tribune, By Richard Storm, December 6, 2015
  8. "Nassau Music Society's Quartetto Gelato melts hearts". thenassauguardian.com. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  9. "Classical Notes: OSO and Quartetto Gelato show their gypsy colours". by Jim Elderton, Vernon Morning Star, Mar 8, 2015
  10. "Juno Awards Database". junoawards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  11. "All Original – 100% Canadian - Quartetto Gelato" "Tiina Kiik, The Whole Note, September 1, 2015"
  12. "All Original – 100% Canadian - Quartetto Gelato QGPI Records" "John Sunier, Audiophile Audition, August 8, 2015"
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