In honor of the three hundredth anniversary of Antonio Vivaldi’s beloved concerto cycle, The Four Seasons, string quartet ETHEL, alongside guest artists pianist Blair McMillen, and percussionist Colin Stranahan, is throwing an exuberant party called SEASONS NOW.
With deep delight, ETHEL has invited four contemporary composers to each write a “Season” of their own to stand alongside Vivaldi’s masterpiece. Ching-chu Hu, Layale Chaker, Leilehua Lanzilotti and Daniel Bernard Roumain will premiere exciting, powerful, stylish new pieces, each honoring the genius and spirit of the original.
Vivaldi’s music is itself heard in colorful, adept new arrangements by the members of ETHEL. With joy and panache, the original masterpieces are brought into conversation with contemporary musical idioms. A treat for listeners of all ages and backgrounds, SEASONS NOW promises to extend Vivaldi’s legacy across cultures and well into the future!
Ching-chu Hu
Ching-chu Hu is an award-winning composer whose work seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, creating a unique and evocative musical language. Born in Iowa to Chinese immigrant parents, Hu’s compositions are marked by cultural duality and emotional depth. He has been commissioned by prestigious ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and has received numerous accolades, including residencies at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony. As a Professor of Music at Denison University, Hu is also an accomplished pianist, conductor, and mentor. His music often explores themes of memory, identity, and human connection, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
Ching-chu Hu is an award-winning composer whose work seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, creating a unique and evocative musical language. Born in Iowa to Chinese immigrant parents, Hu’s compositions are marked by cultural duality and emotional depth. He has been commissioned by prestigious ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and has received numerous accolades, including residencies at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony. As a Professor of Music at Denison University, Hu is also an accomplished pianist, conductor, and mentor. His music often explores themes of memory, identity, and human connection, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
Layale Chaker
Layale Chaker is a Lebanese violinist and composer whose work bridges Arabic maqam traditions with contemporary classical music. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, she has performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall and the Berlin Philharmonie. Her debut album, Inner Rhyme, received critical acclaim for its innovative exploration of Arabic poetic traditions. Chaker’s compositions reflect her deep connection to storytelling and her heritage, intertwining the intricacies of modal music with modern harmonic and rhythmic textures. She continues to push artistic boundaries as a sought-after composer and performer on the international stage.
Leilehua Lanzilotti
Leilehua Lanzilotti is a Hawaiian composer, violist, and advocate for contemporary music. A founding member of the string ensemble Koloa Quartet, Lanzilotti’s work often draws from her island heritage, weaving natural soundscapes and indigenous influences into her compositions. She is recognized for her inventive approaches to sound, such as integrating field recordings and extended string techniques. Lanzilotti’s music has been featured at festivals worldwide, and she is a strong advocate for arts education, fostering new generations of musicians. Her unique voice brings a fresh perspective to the classical music landscape.
Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)
Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) is a Black, Haitian-American composer who sees composing as collaboration with artists, organizations and communities within the farming and framing of ideas. He is a prolific and endlessly collaborative composer, performer, educator, and social entrepreneur. “About as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets” (New York Times), Roumain has worked with artists from J’Nai Bridges, Lady Gaga and Philip Glass to Bill T. Jones, Marin Alsop and Anna Deavere Smith.
