Steven Dann


Steven Dann is a Canadian violist.

Early years

Dann was born in Burnaby, British Columbia. He played the violin until 1970, when he switched to the viola. He began studying with Lorand Fenyves in Toronto in 1972, and continued his studies until he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1977. During this time, he also studied with Robert Pikler in Australia, as well as William Primrose and Bruno Giuranna.
Dann has held the position of principal viola with a number of orchestras, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
As soloist, Dann has performed concerti with several orchestras, as well as with conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir John Eliot Gardiner Ricardo del Carmen Fortuny and Andrew Davis. He has also commissioned concerti and chamber works from a number of composers, notably Alexina Louie, Christos Hatzis and Kaija Saariaho. He is a noted chamber musician as well as a member of the Axelrod Quartet and the Smithsonian Chamber Players, both based in Washington, D.C.

Discography

Viola music

Brahms Viola Works; Steven Dann ; Lambert Orkis ; Susan Platts ; ATMA Classique ACD2 2350 De Bréville • Koechlin • Tournemire: Sonatas & Suite; Steven Dann ; James Parker ; ATMA Classique ACD2 2519 Portrait of the Viola; Steven Dann ; Bruce Vogt ; Musica Viva MVCD1072

Chamber music

Chamber Suite: Catherine Wilson and Friends; DoReMi Musique de Chambre Française; Susan Hoeppner ; Annalee Patipatanakoon ; Erika Raum ; Joaquin Valdepenas ; Steven Dann ; Amanda Forsyth ; Judy Loman ; Marquis Music