04.13.05 (MusicPortal.com) Groundbreaking New York City string quartet ETHEL are set for their first full-scale U.S. and European tour beginning today in Melbourne, Florida. ETHEL are Ralph Farris (viola), Dorothy Lawson (cello), Todd Reynolds (violin) and Mary Rowell (violin). The quartet have quickly emerged as a powerful musical voice in New York City's ever-evolving concert scene, stretching themselves far past the limits of convention, genre and style to embrace a music that arises from the context of our time. Since the group's appearance on the scene in 1998, ETHEL have brought to their music an exciting, beautiful and rare combination of tastes and talents that has developed from each member's unique experiences in the music world. Ethel's penchant for improvisation and theatre is instrumental to its group philosophy and aesthetic. These "serious" musicians in fact consider "show-biz" as part of their artistic arsenal. The quartet uses improvisation to weave composed pieces together, creating a seamless, flowing concert experience. With Ethel's irreverence and panache, listeners are enveloped by the sounds of amplified strings as they are taken on an intense muscular ride of arena Rock proportions. The NEA recently awarded a grant to ETHEL that will enable the quartet to commission new works by three exciting composers: clarinetist/composer/social critic Don Byron, Brazilian Jazz pianist Marcelo Zarvos and Electronic music artist Pamela Z. ETHEL will later develop the new works in collaboration with the composers, and the premieres of these new pieces will take place during the 2005-'06 season. And in the Fall of 2005, the quartet will be working with Native American student composers and performing their works at the Grand Canyon Music Festival. Members of ETHEL have performed and/or recorded with Bang On A Can, The Chamber Music Society Of Lincoln Center, The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The New York Chamber Symphony, The Steve Reich Ensemble and many others.

[Classical News: February 2005]