BIOGRAPHY

ANNALEE PATIPATANAKOON, violin

ROMAN BORYS, cello

JAMES PARKER, piano

Celebrating over 30 years of artistry and innovation, Gryphon Trio has firmly cemented its place as one of the world's foremost piano trios, captivating audiences globally with their vibrant, boundary-pushing performances. Comprising violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon, cellist Roman Borys, and pianist Jamie Parker, Gryphon Trio is celebrated for its dynamic programming, from cherished classical repertoire to avant-garde, multimedia collaborations that redefine chamber music for the 21st century.

Entering their fourth decade, Gryphon Trio is once again set to inspire with their groundbreaking production, ECHOES: Memories of the World, a multimedia journey that merges music, narrative, and film to explore themes of cultural resilience and historical memory. Featuring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous creators, including mezzo-soprano Marion Newman Nege’ga and narrator čačumḥi Aaron M. Wells, this work honors visionary artists who have defied erasure, inviting audiences to experience music as a bridge to understanding and empowerment.

The Trio’s prolific discography, spanning 22 albums on renowned labels such as Analekta and Naxos, is a rich testament to their commitment to the piano trio repertoire, with accolades that include 11 Juno nominations and three wins for Classical Album of the Year (2019, 2011 & 2004). In 2013, the Canada Council for the Arts recognized their exceptional contributions with the prestigious Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. Dedicated to expanding the canon, they have commissioned over 85 new works, pushing artistic boundaries and welcoming fresh voices into the chamber music landscape.

With a touring schedule that spans North America, Europe, and beyond, Gryphon Trio maintains strong partnerships with institutions including Orford Music Academy, Music Toronto, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Festival del Lago in Mexico. Equally at ease with major symphonies or in intimate chamber salon settings, the Trio’s performances are both ambitious and intimate, drawing listeners into an unforgettable musical dialogue.

Committed educators, Gryphon Trio actively mentors emerging musicians and audiences. They serve as ensemble-in-residence at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston and as artists-in-residence at Trinity College, University of Toronto. Their Listen Up! initiative, launched in 2010, has brought large-scale, community-based arts projects to 16 Canadian communities, inspiring collaborative creation and arts education nationwide. Additionally, they lead the Piano Trio Workshop in colleges, universities, and conservatories around the globe.

Beyond their Trio work, the members are each dedicated arts advocates. Roman Borys served as Artistic Director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society for over a decade and was recently appointed Artistic & Executive Director of Music Toronto. Annalee Patipatanakoon, a faculty member and Chair of the Strings Performance Area at the University of Toronto, and Jamie Parker, who holds the Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance, continue to influence Canada’s music landscape through their leadership roles and teaching.

Gryphon Trio’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of chamber music. As they continue to push artistic boundaries, their music resonates across generations, uniting people through shared cultural and creative experiences.

November 2024

PHOTOS

Photography

Daniel Ehrenworth

Shin Sugino

Johne Beebe

Bo Huang

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