Moth Quartet
Moth Quartet, formed in 2023 in Wellington (NZ), is a quartet of composer-performers dedicated to exploring and reimagining the identity of the contemporary string quartet. Comprised of Salina Fisher (violin), Tristan Carter (violin), Elliot Vaughan (viola), and Nicholas Denton Protsack (cello), the ensemble engages in composing and performing music for string quartet that often transcends genre and classification—sometimes taking the form of daringly experimental improvised music, at other times creating bespoke string quartet arrangements for innovative singer-songwriters, like Twinn Ethyr. The ensemble's debut album, Scree Scrub Mountain Sky (2024), is a testament to their collective creativity and commitment to exploring new musical frontiers; their approach to composing the music of the album was to place themselves directly in the landscapes of Tongariro National Park, on New Zealand’s North Island, and simply reply to what they heard and saw. In addition to being formidable improvisors on their respective instruments, the members of Moth Quartet are also established composers in the vibrant contemporary music scene of Wellington—each with a unique and idiosyncratic solo practice. The resulting collective is a musical force to be reckoned with that is destined to become an indispensable member of New Zealand’s musical landscape.
