A Feast for Tantalus (Part 1) by Apostolos Paraskevas
world premiere, 2007 Iserlohn Guitar Festival
A Feast for Tantalus (Part 2)
world premiere, 2007 Iserlohn Guitar Festival
"Great ensemble playing....Their arrangements are clever and well-chosen, their programming is diverse and original, and their easy cameraderie on stage is charming." - Richard Long, Soundboard
"The quartet is capable of delivering a strong, nuanced and textured performance with compelling dynamics and a beautiful sound, offset by a presentation that is quippish and cute at moments, coming across well-oiled and calculated in effect." - Julia Crowe, Classical Guitar
"Amazing. Just amazing. You guys sound like heaven should sound." -Bobby Stanton
“[Tantalus Quartet is] breaking new ground in terms of their aesthetic. The angst is back…they're fun like driving around too fast on a borrowed Ducati. Think LAGQ on steroids (when steroids had a good connotation).” -Andrew Hull, Rosewood Review
“[Tantalus Quartet] reveled in the lightening-fast passages and played with perfect ensemble in the expressive moments. They emerged as a charismatic quartet of international class.” -Jan Baseroll, Reinischer Post (Germany)
"The Tantalus Quartet gave an electrifying performance…a brilliant new light in the guitar world." -Thomas Kirchhoff, Amadeus Guitar Duo
"Tantalus delivered a crisp, solid, sensitive performance… thus heralding an important new ensemble voice in the guitar community." -John Martin, GuitArt International
Tantalus Quartet's recordings have recently aired on NPR's "Classical Guitar Alive" and Teja Gerken's "Guitar Journeys" (KUSF San Francisco).
The ground-breaking guitar ensemble Tantalus Quartet has delighted audiences with their “perfect ensemble” (Reinischer Post, Germany), “infectious rhythmic drive” (Allmusic.com), and their warm, often hilarious stage presence. Tantalus Quartet’s repertoire expands the boundaries of the classical guitar with brilliant arrangements of masterworks by Brahms and Mozart, folk-inspired favorites from Scotland to Nova Scotia, and new music by award-winning composers.
Tantalus Quartet’s highly anticipated CD Debut has received rave reviews from both critics and audiences, and reflects the ensemble’s eclectic musical tastes ranging from the Renaissance to the avant garde.
Tantalus maintains an active performing schedule, appearing at important concert series and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. This concert season brings the group to cities from Los Angeles to Washington DC. In 2007, the quartet made their European debut, including an acclaimed appearance at the world-renowned Iserlohn Guitar Festival.
Strong advocates of new music, the quartet is dedicated to the performance of important works by major composers. Tantalus recently premiered "A Feast for Tantalus," dedicated to the quartet by Grammy-nominated composer Apostolos Paraskevas. In 2006, the quartet was awarded the Florida Artists Enhancement Grant given by the Florida Department of State.
Tantalus Quartet consists of members Kristian Anderson, Matthew Cochran, Kevin Manderville, and Stephen Mattingly. The ensemble formed while studying with the legendary pedagogue Bruce Holzman.
