Friday (2/1) on the website for Boston’s NPR station 90.9 WBUR, Andrea Shea reports, “In traditional orchestras, the cellos usually operate in the background, creating bass lines and harmonies to support melodies led by the violins or wind section. But four members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s cello section are taking their beloved instruments into the spotlight with a group they’re calling the Boston Cello Quartet. The young musicians hail from France, Romania and the United States and are celebrating the release of their debut album, ‘Pictures,’ Friday night. … It’s hard to resist calling the quartet a cello boy band. ‘You mean we all look good, right, that’s what you’re saying?’ Blaise Dejardin, 28, asked with a laugh. ‘Yeah, why not?’ … More seriously, though, the professional classical musician says performing on the same bill with a pop group, and finally releasing their first album, plays into the quartet’s mission. … The cello quartet’s new album is designed to show off their instrument’s potential. It features a mix of classics and original compositions. They do a version of Modest Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition,’ a suite originally composed for piano and often played [by full orchestra]. But they also play the James Bond theme as part of a medley arranged by Dejardin.”
Posted February 4, 2013
