Canada laments a second quartet leader
RIPDays after the passing of Geoff Nuttall of the St Lawrence String Quartet we learn with sadness of the death of Andrew Dawes, leader of the Orford Quartet for quarter of a century (1965-1991).
Andrew was 82.
His outstanding recordings, away from the quartet, include the complate Beethoven violin-piano sonatas. He was a legend in the field, one of Canada’s alltime foremost string musicians.
Andy was a treasured colleague at the University of British Columbia for many years. One of Canada’s finest musicians, a warm soul with the kindliest smile imaginable. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
It was an honor to have worked with Andy all those decades ago when he was with the Orford String Quartet. He was an amazing musician and a classy guy.
He was. I was in the quartet for a season, and learned more than I though possible from Andy and Ken and Denis. A great quartet leader. And Andy and Ken mentored Geoff Nuttal and Barry Shiffman of the St. Lawrence Quartet while the two of them were at UT in the late 80s.
Andrew Dawes was a wonderful player, who put an incandescent bloom on the remarkable Orford String Quartet. I especially appreciated there Beethoven cycle. Amongst a crowded field of fine Beethoven efforts, I find myself still keeping their Delos CDs in “heavy rotation.” Pure class, all the way!
Had the pleasure of his coaching and hearing him play at Kneisel Hall. Seemed like a kind and thoughtful soul and artist, RIP.