About...
Quartet History...
During the past decade the Silverwood Quartet has brought their fresh and innovative approach to chamber music to enthusiastic audiences throughout the United States and Japan. Although their standard instrumentation is flute, violin, viola, and cello, a typical performance by this versatile ensemble will include a kaliedescope of instrumental colors. A variety of flutes, whistles and recorders, Celtic Harp, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, guitar, Coral sitar, and an array of percussion instruments could be featured in one of Silverwood’s unique arrangements. Add to that an eclectic mix of musical styles from around the world and across the centuries played with artistry and passion and you have an unforgettable concert experience that will move and delight one and all!
Andra Bohnet (flute) and Tom Morley (violin) are founding members of the quartet, which began in 1996, and Jonathan Clark (viola) was added in 2000. The addition of Barbara Gabriel (cello) in 2003 has stimulated the group into an unsurpassed level of artistry and creativity. In addition to their concert appearances, the ensemble has recorded five CDs (so far!) which have been featured on public radio stations throughout the U.S. and have been downloaded throughout the world.
The newest project of the group is The Classic Rock Album, which was released in April 2005. No elevator music here! The quartet has captured the "essence" of what makes tunes by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, Moody Blues, Yes, and other rock groups of the 60s and 70s tick in their original versions. If you know the original, you can sing along! Regarding this album, rock icon Ian Anderson, flutist and leader of Jethro Tull said, "Many thanks for the CD. I enjoyed it very much and especially the variety of musical styles it incorporated. Keep up the good work and help bring the worlds of pop/rock and the Classical traditions together."
In November 2004, the quartet released To Drive the Cold Winter Away, a stunning collection of works that reflect an older, earthier and simpler view of Christmas, winter, and the holiday season. The repertoire ranges from classical (Andra's virtuosic rendition of Vivaldi's Winter Concerto) to Celtic (Loreena McKennitt's The Mummer's Dance, their best seller on iTunes) to early music influences (Brian Joyce's Hear Ye News Today, where the quartet members double as percussionists). "The Silverwood Quartet is an extraordinary chamber ensemble presenting a most exquisite instrumental treatment of classical holiday fare." The interactions of flute, harp and cello, violin and viola are pure magic. The intense beauty of songs like Taladh Chriosda (Christ Child Lullaby), The Wexford Carol, and so many others can bring tears to your eyes. Then the percussive explosions on Masters In This Hall bring you to your feet." (Christmasreviews.com)
Because there is not much existing literature for flute, violin, viola and cello, the quartet has actively created and commissioned a wealth of unique repertoire and is constantly working on new projects. Flutist Andra Bohnet is the group's primary arranger, but the ensemble frequently collaborates in the creative process collectively as well. Silverwood has also commissioned new works from composers Kris Wilkinson, Gary Schocker, David Ott and Brian Joyce. The ensemble was also the centerpiece for a unique commission honoring the Tricentennial of the City of Mobile from the American Composers Forum, Museum Loan Network, Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Museum of Art. The resuting final work, Structures by composer William Banfield, showcased the Silverwood Quartet as soloists in a quadruple concerto with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra in October 2003.