April 24th
Joe’s Pub
Ethel String Quartet CD Release

This was an evening of good music in a newly renovated Joe’s Pub. It was a successful revamp and they have reserved seats which always pleases me. The new configuration of ETHEL performed most of the evening with Mary Rowell, co-founder of the quartet, and Kenji Bunch joining them for the last two pieces. Most of the pieces they played were from their new CD, “Heavy” as well as a couple from the earlier CD, “Light.” One of my favorites was “Early that Summer,” an exciting, intense composition by Julia Wolfe of Bang on a Can. It seemed to me that most of the pieces they played were really really fast so it came as a calming relief to hear David Lang’s gorgeous piece, “Wed.” Also Kenji’s piece, “String Circle” was a great addition and even included a bit of Ho Down to the mix of contemporary classical.