...Like islands in the storm, there were two pieces that went in a decidedly different direction. Eric Byers’s Sarabande (performed by the Lyris Quartet and Mike Vallero, contrabass) drew inspiration from Bach’s Fifth Cello Suite. Byers, a cellist himself and a founding member of the Calder Quartet, creates an evolving series of deep string sonorities in the slow dance form that elegantly evokes the spirit of Bach. Then in a second section, Byers creates a contrasting atmosphere in which ethereal harmonics create the sense of a starry firmament. Expertly performed, the piece was particularly effective within the intimate setting (and bright acoustics) of the church...

By JIM FARBER - San Francisco Classical Voice - Link to article