Another interesting event was the concert at the University of Maryland by CELLO (24 June). The group is the US's “only full-time cello quartet”. The concert was a revelation of the possibilities of cello sound and in the hands of founder Caryl Paisner, Laura Koehl, Maria Kitsopoulus, and Maureen McDermott, the cello speaks a different dialect. It was fascinating just how beautifully Barber's Adagio (arranged for CELLO by Paul Kimper) reflects the composer's original intentions and Hungarian Peasant Songs, arranged by fellow Hungarian cellist Laszlo Varga, received a highly charged performance. The energy of Demon Cycle by Ilan Rechtman had sparks flying as did the bows. Dance Suite for Four Cellos by Peter Schickele, a work totally in a Neo-classical mold received a warm performance. The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby was played as an encore, and was convincing proof of the beauty of its melodic line. If CELLO is anywhere near you, go and hear them.

—Strad Magazine