Angels for String Quartet by Joan Tower was composed in 2008 and premiered on August 31 2008 in Angel Fire NM performed by the Miami String Quartet. Angels is my fourth quartet — a mediumI really love. In fact when Ida Kavafian asked me what I wanted to write for the Festival I immediately said string quartet. Having written three prior quartets and gotten to travel extensively around the world of quartets Ihave come to love the way string quartets are so deeply creative and passionate about the music they play. They are really like four 'composers' at work. Angels is about 18 minutes long in one movement and isdedicated to the people who helped my younger brother George survive a major stroke this year. They include my sister Ellen a former student of mine (Erin) a doctor (Dr. Stenehjem) a nurse (Courtney) and two real estate agents(Ann and Dale). These are caring people whose generosity of spirit and love of humanity make them very special 'angels.' I am thrilled that the Miami Quartet is giving the premiere of Angels. - Joan Tower

Joan Tower is one of this generation's most dynamic and colorful composers. Her bold and energetic music with its striking imagery and novel structural forms has won large enthusiastic audiences. This work for Cello and Pianowas written as a homage to Olivier Messiaen whose 'risk-taking' approach the composer felt had a special influence on her own works.

Description Joan Tower: Tres Lent (Hommage A Messiaen) For Cello And Piano This work for Cello and Piano was written as a homage to Olivier Messian, whose risk-taking' approach, the composer felt, had a special influence on her own works. Songlist Tres Lent (Hommage A Messiaen)

Rising for Flute and String Quartet was commissioned by Backshore Artists Project Inc. on the occasion of Carol Wincenc's 60th birthday; underwritten by a generous grant from Linda and Stuart Nelson.Thefirst performance took place on the 31st March 2010 by Carol Wincenc and the Juilliard String Quartet at the Juilliard School New York NY.A recording by Carol Wincenc with Kevin Lawrence Carolyn Stuart Sheila Browne and Brooks Whitehouse is available on Bridge Records (CD 9373). Duration: ca. 16 minutes.