Media Releases & Reviews

MEDIA RELEASES & REVIEWS

Releases - Reviews - Resources
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Beethoven Late Quartets, Volume 2
NOW AVAILABLE - August 3, 2010

San Francisco, CA - The Cypress String Quartet (Cecily Ward, violin; Tom Stone, violin; Ethan Filner, viola; and Jennifer Kloetzel, cello) is recording the six quartets written by Beethoven between 1822 and 1826 (historically known as Beethoven’s Late Period) for commercial release. The second disc of this three-volume set includes Beethoven’s String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130 and the Große Fuge, Op. 133. It will be available on iTunes, CDbaby.com, Amazon.com, and other major retailers on August 3, 2010. The disc was produced by Cypress first violinist Cecily Ward, engineered by Mark Willsher, and recorded at Skywalker Sound.
Volume 1 of the Cypress’s Late Beethoven set was released in August 2009. Gramophone praised the disc as “revealing artistry of uncommon insight and cohesion.” The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, “The Cypress players converse with such rare sincerity as to make long-familiar music sound utterly fresh.” The album was featured as one of The Denver Post’s “Best discs of 2009.” Download Full Media Release | Read Reviews

Sample 1: Beethoven, String Quartet in B-Flat Major, Opus 130, Presto

Sample 2: Beethoven, Große Fuge, Opus 133, Excerpt

$20+ FREE SHIPPING! / $10 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

Media contact for Beethoven Late Quartets, Vol. 2 CD release:
Christina Jensen PR
Tel: 646-536-7864
Email: Christina@christinajensenpr.com
www.christinajensenpr.com

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How She Danced: String Quartets of Elena Ruehr
Released Tuesday, February 23, 2010
San Francisco, CA – The Cypress String Quartet (Cecily Ward, violin; Tom Stone, violin; Ethan Filner, viola; and Jennifer Kloetzel, cello) announces the commercial release of How She Danced: String Quartets of Elena Ruehr on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. The album, which includes Elena Ruehr’s String Quartets No. 1 (1991), No. 3 (2001), and No. 4 (commissioned by the Cypress Quartet in 2005), will be available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, and other major retailers.
The disc was produced by Cypress first violinist Cecily Ward and Mark Willsher, and recorded at Skywalker Sound. Program notes include an interview with the artists by Bill McGlaughlin, host of Saint Paul Sunday and Exploring Music.
Download Full Media Release | Read reviews

Sample 1: Elena Ruehr, String Quartet #3, Clay Flute

Sample 2: Elena Ruehr, String Quartet #3, How She Danced

$20+ FREE SHIPPING! / $10 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

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Beethoven Late Quartets, Volume 1
Released Tuesday, August 25, 2009
San Francisco, CA - The Cypress String Quartet is recording the six quartets written by Beethoven between 1822 and 1826 (historically known as Beethoven’s Late Period) for commercial release. The first disc of this three-volume set includes Beethoven’s String Quartets in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131 and F Major, Op. 135, both written in 1826. It is now available on iTunes, CDbaby.com, Amazon.com, and other major retailers. The disc was produced by Cypress first violinist Cecily Ward, engineered by Mark Willsher, and recorded at Skywalker Sound. Volumes two and three will be released in 2010 and 2011.
The Cypress String Quartet formed in 1996 in San Francisco, and during its first rehearsals together created a now-signature sound through intense readings of J.S. Bach’s Chorales. After performing and rehearsing these Late Quartets for more than a decade together, the Cypress String Quartet share what they have discovered in this unique and exceptional recording. Download Full Media Release | Read Reviews

Sample 1: Beethoven, String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135, Vivace

Sample 2: Beethoven, String Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131, Allegro

$20+ FREE SHIPPING! / $10 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

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Reviews - What Critics Are Saying...

________________________________About Beethoven Late Quartets, Volume 2 (2010):

"In the forest of Beethoven recordings, [these] are some of the mightiest trees."
Cleveland Plain Dealer - July 2010

"The Cypress’ joie de vivre in this music shines through"
Audiophile Audition - June 2010

"Brilliant, austere, incisive."
Sacramento Bee - July 2010

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____________________About How She Danced: String Quartets of Elena Ruehr (2010):

"Full of rhythm, life and colour...the project brings rich rewards."
The Strad - March 2010

"One of the most appealing contemporary quartet discs in a very long time."
Buffalo News - March 2010

"Very impressive contemporary quartets."
Audiophile Audition - April 2010

"This CD is a revelation."
Classical Voice of New England - February 2010

"A strong, engaging personality."
Sequenza21.com - February 2010

"Elegant, top-shelf listening and playing"
Midwest Record - January 2010

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___________________________________About Beethoven Late Quartets, Vol.1 (2009):

"What wondrous artistry to behold"
Gramophone - November, 2009

"Classical music: The year's best discs" (2009 Top Ten Releases)
Denver Post - December, 2009

"These performances..are quite exceptional"
Fanfare - November, 2009

"A precise, touching and very musical performance"
Flagstaff Live - September 10, 2009

“KBAQ CD of the Week”

KBAQ 89.5 Radio (Tempe, Arizona) - August 24, 2009

“A Pair of Definitive Statements”
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) - August 10, 2009

“Poignant Delicacy”
Audiophile Audition - August 10, 2009

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______________________About Benjamin Lees: String Quartets Nos. 1, 5 and 6 (2009):

"A Beethoven-like sense of clarity and formal integrity"
Sequenza21 - December, 2009

"Brilliant individual and ensemble technique"
Strings Magazine - October 1, 2009

“An Excellent Offering”
All Music - August 10, 2009

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________________________________About Cypress String Quartet Live Performances:

"A Stellar Performance."
Classical Voice of New England - March 2010

“The performers, like the music, were on fire”
San Jose Mercury News - January 2010

“Young, Dynamic, Courageous and Accomplished”
Augsburger Allgemeine (Leitheim, Germany) - July 23, 2007

“Dvorak has rarely sounded so good”
Washington Post (Washington, DC) - October 15, 2007

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Resources & Press Materials

Hi-res images of the Cypress String Quartet are available here

Audio and video content of the Cypress String Quartet is available here

Cypress String Quartet biography (click to download)
Full (415 words) | Medium (245 words) | Short (170 words)

About the Cypress Quartet’s Instruments (click to download)

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