TEDxManhattan - ETHEL feat. Blair McMillen - The Who's "5:15" February 21, 2012

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http://www.tedxmanhattan.org/2012talks

Acclaimed as America's premier postclassical string quartet, ETHEL invigorates contemporary concert music with refreshing exuberance, fierce intensity, imaginative programming and exceptional artistry. Formed in 1998, New York's ebullient ETHEL performs adventurous music of the past four decades, with emphasis on works composed since 1995. Boldly exploring new synergies between tradition and technology, ETHEL initiates innovative collaborations with an extraordinary community of American and international artists. ETHEL currently serves as the 2011 Artists-in-Residence at New York City's Park Avenue Armory.

More information at http://www.ethelcentral.com

Hailed by the New York Times as "riveting," "brilliant" and as "new music's torchbearer," Blair McMillen has established himself as one of the most versatile and sought-after pianists today. He has performed in venues both traditional and avant-garde; from Carnegie Hall, the Moscow Conservatory, the Metropolitan Museum, Avery Fisher Hall, Caramoor, Miller Theatre, and the Library of Congress; to (le) Poisson Rouge, Galapagos, the Knitting Factory, and The Stone. Highlights from recent seasons include the Piston Concertino at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra, over a dozen performances of John Cage's piano magnum-opus Sonatas and Interludes, and numerous appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. An avid chamber player, Mr. McMillen is pianist for the Naumburg Award-winning Da Capo Chamber Players, among others. He is the co-founder and director of the Rite of Summer Music Festival on Governor's Island, an alt-contemporary classical outdoor series, which had its critically-acclaimed inaugural season in Summer 2011. Blair McMillen holds degrees from Oberlin College, the Juilliard School, and Manhattan School of Music. He lives in New York City and serves on the music faculty at Bard College and Conservatory.

More information at http://www.tedxmanhattan.org

About TEDx, x = independently organized event:

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*

(*Subject to certain rules and regulations)