Odin Quartet

String Quartet

Passionate advocates of chamber music, Toronto-based Odin Quartet explores of the role of classical music in modern-day storytelling. Named after the one-eyed Norse god, seeker of knowledge and holder of the wisdom of the world, the ensemble is dedicated to making classical music accessible to generations of listeners, both old and new. Since their formation in 2015, the Quartet has promoted modern Canadian compositions, including those of cellist Samuel Bisson, alongside classical music literature. In June 2015, the Odin Quartet took part in the Luminato Festival's epic production of R Murray Schafer's 1980 oratorio Apocalypsis. Since their 2017 debut at the opening gala of the Music Niagara Festival, the Quartet has been a recurring performer at the summer festival, in 2019 and 2021. Other festival appearances include the University of Toronto's New Music Festival, Midday Music with Shigeru, the Ottawa Valley Music Festival, Guelph Connections, and Music Mondays Toronto. The Odin Quartet has enjoyed multiple collaborations with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra as its ensemble-in-residence since 2018. Most recently, the Quartet premiered a new piece for string quartet and symphony orchestra by Samuel Bisson, under the baton of Maestro Ron Royer and has also been a collaborative artist for their annual New Generations Composer’s Project. The ensemble presented its first concert season in 2019-2020 in Toronto and ambitiously programmed a second concert season in 2021-2022. This second season featured their 2-part project, a commission of compositions from composers worldwide, entitled “Lockdown Lullabies” in which over 180 works were received and 30 were chosen and premiered. Additionally during this season, the Quartet released its first album entitled “Journey Through Night: Canadian Music for String Quartet” featuring the musical creations of 7 Canadian composers. The Quartet has recorded numerous film scores both locally and internationally and is regularly featured in musical projects by other artists both in Toronto and abroad.