Violist Steve Larson is one of the most eloquent and passionate performers of his generation. The Montreal Gazette has praised him for his "singing tone, eloquent phrasing, expressive dynamics and flawless intonation," the Boston Globe hailed a recent performance as "supercharged, clear-headed, yet soulful," and Gramophone Magazine calls his playing "riveting."

Since 1994 he has been the violist of the Adaskin String Trio, considered by many to be the pre-eminent ensemble of its kind in the world. In 2003, they released a recording of the complete String Trios of Beethoven which was enthusiastically welcomed by Gramophone Magazine: "Superb playing. . .a flexible command of flow and phrase with instrumental power and eloquence and a nutty tonal richness.…" In addition, he is also a member of the Avery Ensemble, a group which performs an incredibly varied repertoire-piano quartets and trios, duos in various combinations and larger works with guests-covering a breadth of styles ranging from the seventeenth century to the present day. Mr. Larson has given masterclasses at numerous conservatories, universities and summer programs in both Canada and the United States and is a regular guest performer at International Viola Congresses. He has been on faculty at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford since 1998.

In 1997 Steve Larson won second prize at the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, UK, also receiving the special award for his performance of the commissioned work. He has performed as a guest with the Emerson, Miami, Penderecki, and Arthur Leblanc String Quartets and with the Lions Gate and New World Trios. As a soloist he has performed in Canada, the United States, France, Iceland, Italy, Austria, Japan, and China. He is a former member of the Alcan String Quartet, Musica Camerata Montréal and l’Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal. Mr. Larson is originally from Saskatchewan (Canada) and holds degrees from McGill University, l’Université de Montréal and The Hartt School. He studied violin with Elman Lowe, Howard Leyton-Brown, and Mauricio Fuks, viola with Jutta Puchhammer and Steve Tenenbom, and chamber music with members of the Emerson and Orford String Quartets. More...