Annex String Quartet

The Annex String Quartet, also known as The Annex Quartet, is a string quartet founded in 2008 by violist Yunior Lopez in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Named after The Annex neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, the quartet began performing regularly in Toronto's bars, coffee shops, and non-classical venues like Aroma Espresso Bar and the St. Lawrence Market. In 2010, they made their American debut alongside the Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall, and have since appeared in over 100 performances, recordings, and broadcasts.

The group's focus has been on bridging the gap between classical and world music. They have performed and recorded in various musical styles, and continue to work with a diverse range of artists including classical pianist Jan Lisiecki, Cuban jazz pianist Hilario Durán, and Canadian jazz icon Jane Bunnett.

In June 2013, the Annex Quartet released their official debut album, The Roaring Twenties. In 2014, the group was to record a Cuban tour with Cuban Bolero singer Anais Abreu, but the concerts were cancelled. In 2019, the quartet released its second album, Latinoamericana.

The quartet was the ensemble-in-residence at Toronto's Midtown Music School and The Stratford Summer Music Festival. As of 2021, Lopez is with The Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas, which he founded in 2015. Blackwell is part of the Art of Time Ensemble, Cosbey is a member of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and Pronin performs and records independently.

Members

• Stanislav Pronin violin
• Carolyn Blackwell violin
• Yunior Lopez viola
• Peter Cosbey, cello

Albums

• The Roaring Twenties (2013) Modica Music Records
• Latinoamericana (2019)

Other Recordings/Film

• The Captive - Atom Egoyan (2014)
• Maqueque - Jane Bunnett and Maqueque (2014) Justin Time Records
• Folktales - Joanna Chapman-Smith, David Stone, and The Annex Quartet (2015)

References

• Duinker, Ben (6 June 2011). "T4x4: 4 quartets to discover on CBC Music". CBC Music. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
• Paloma Parker, Odessa (29 May 2012). "The Annex Quartet, Classical Music From A New Generation of Players". Plaid Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
• Tsioulcas, Anastasia (19 March 2012). "The Kronos Quartet: Creating, and Passing on a Legacy". Ariama. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2012.

External links

• Annex String Quartet