Ethel is a string band dedicated to playing contemporary music, specifically works written within the last 15 years. The quartet consists of violist Ralph Farris, cellist Dorothy Lawson and violinists Mary Rowell and Cornelius Dufallo. Dufallo spoke on behalf of the group.
Q1 (Chan): Discuss the band's general collaboration process with contemporary composers and how that works.
A1 (Dufallo): Composers usually come to Ethel in the early stages of the creative process. Often, the first rehearsal is an exploration of a few sketches and a discussion about the possibilities. We enjoy having some say in the direction of a piece, the ability to contribute ideas.
With that, the band almost always ends up with pieces that suit as a group and as individual players.
Q2: What is the suite "Present Beauty" about?
A2: The music and ideas associated with Phillip Glass' score to the film "The Hours" was the starting point for Ethel. Specifically, exploring the idea of living in the "now" as a topic for both scientific research and pop culture.
Not only did we write our arrangement of Glass' score for string quartet, but "Present Beauty" also includes music by Terry Riley, Huang Ruo and Julia Wolfe.
Q3: What is the process like of one member of the group trying to bring their interest in a specific music to the rest of the group?
A3: The band has a general agenda to perform contemporary music.
Each person comes from a different perspective musically speaking. The challenge is to carve out a balance between our individual interests within an overarching artistic objective.
Q4: Did the Kronos Quartet have an influence upon Ethel when the band first started?
A4: Kronos blazed the trail. They were one of the first quartets dedicated to exploring the possibilities of contemporary music.
We have taken our group on a different path from Kronos, but they remain a huge inspiration to us.
Q5: What pieces will the band be playing at LaGuardia PAC?
A5: Music by composers: John King, Phil Kline, Marcelo Zarvos, one work by a teenager from the Navajo nation and original pieces by members of Ethel.
We're excited to give our first performance of composer Jon Magnussen's "Out of this World," and he will be there to talk about his piece with the audience.
Ethel will perform at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center this Thursday May 13 @ 8 p.m. Address: 31 - 10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City, Queens. Tickets: free, but reserving a seat is recommended.
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