Owls make their debut with Rare Birds, an adventurous album that reimagines the string quartet with two cellos, fearless repertoire choices, and a collective spirit that turns centuries of music into something vividly alive.
Owls are rewriting the rulebook on the string quartet with their debut album Rare Birds. The group has already been called a “dream group” by The New York Times, and their approach is as bold as it is distinctive. With two cellos and two violins, they invert the familiar format to create a sound that feels both grounded and untethered.
The quartet is made up of some of the most dynamic players of their generation: violinist Alexi Kenney, violist Ayane Kozasa, and cellists Gabriel Cabezas and Paul Wiancko. Each brings a wealth of experience from acclaimed ensembles like yMusic, Aizuri Quartet, and Kronos Quartet. Produced by Grammy-winner William Brittelle, Rare Birds captures the collective spirit that defines Owls. Every piece was chosen and arranged together in Wiancko’s Red Hook studio, guided by one rule: all four members must love what they play.
The six tracks on Rare Birds stretch across centuries and continents. The program moves from François Couperin’s baroque elegance to Franghiz Ali-Zadeh’s modern Azerbaijani compositions, from the folk-rooted duo Trollstilt to the pioneering minimalism of Terry Riley. Wiancko contributes two major re-imaginings written specifically for the ensemble, underscoring their commitment to building something new from shared traditions.
The album unfolds like a living playlist, weaving premieres, reinterpretations, and unexpected textures into a fluid whole. Vibrant double cellos form rich foundations while violin and viola climb above them, melodies slip between driving rhythms and delicate moments, and the music repeatedly shifts from quiet intimacy to joyous release. It is chamber music that refuses to stay in its lane, celebrating discovery and collaboration with every note.
Owls are less a traditional string quartet than a collective of restless musical spirits. Their performances are visceral, personal, and impossible to categorize, and Rare Birds makes that clear from the opening bars. This is a group intent on reshaping what chamber music can be, turning a centuries-old form into something startlingly fresh.