Ensembles explore new territory

TURTLE ISLAND STRING QUARTET WITH THE YING QUARTET; "4 + Four" (Telarc) ***

IMANI WINDS; "The Classical Underground" (KOCH International Classics) ***

Three albums by four chamber ensembles show that classical musicians still feel the need to stretch their boundaries and explore new territories — with gratifying results.

The Brodsky Quartet, which has recorded a number of CDs that have included some seldom-heard quartets, revives a collaboration begun by the old Hollywood Quartet — popular songs accompanied by string quartet.

A half century ago, the Hollywood Quartet recorded a number of albums with crooner Frank Sinatra. The Brodsky takes this idea in "Moodswings," collaborating with singers as diverse as Sting, Elvis Costello, Bjork, Jacqui Dankworth and others. Most of the songs on the album are either new or arrangements for string quartet.

"Moodswings" is an eclectic and original album that shows that the classical-string quartet works remarkably well as an accompanying ensemble for pop, jazz, art songs and Broadway tunes. It's an extremely enjoyable album that successfully combines the seriousness of a string quartet with popular idioms.

The Turtle Island String Quartet has since its perception been in the forefront of "crossover" music. It has taken the concept of classical musicians playing anything but classical music to a new level, with mostly successful results.

The Ying Quartet, on the other hand, has been following a mainstream course, also quite winningly, too. So what do you get when you bring the two groups together? You get a CD that shows the versatility of the Ying and the creativity of both ensembles.

"4 + Four" consists mainly of music written by members of the Turtle Island String Quartet, music that is jazzy and laid-back. And in combining these pieces with an arrangement of the Lennon and McCartney song "Because," and a string octet version of Darius Milhaud's groundbreaking "Le Creation du Monde," you get an album that is colorful, innovative and thoroughly listenable.

Imani Winds' "The Classical Underground" is perhaps the most interesting and dynamic of the three albums. It gives a fresh look to pieces by Astor Piazzolla and Paquito D'Rivera, and includes a wonderfully crafted woodwind concerto by ensemble flutist Valerie Coleman that employs Afro-Cuban rhythms within a classical framework.

Also on the album is the traditional spiritual "Steal Away," Lalo Schifrin's moody "La Nouvelle Orleans" and "Homage to Duke" by the group's French horn player, Jeff Scott.

With "The Classical Underground," Imani Winds gives a new and refreshing perspective on the woodwind quintet that is pleasing and highly rewarding.

E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com