Fascinating Rhythm Arrangement for String Quartet ⎹ Fascinating Rhythms⎹ Commissioned August 2026
The inspiration for our program, Fascinating Rhythms came from Gershwin's piece, Fascinating Rhythm originally composed in 1924. José Daniel Vargas' arrangement perfectly captured the jazz elements of the piece within a string quartet setting.
Spring in San Francisco Arrangement for Piano Quartet ⎹ Spring in San Francisco ⎹ Commissioned March 2025
As part of our concert cycle Spring in San Francisco, we commissioned an arrangement of José Daniel Vargas' award winning piece, Spring in San Francisco for two violins, piano, and cello to showcase how the trio sonata could be applied to a modern ensemble.
Eros ⎹ On the Same Page ⎹ Commissioned December 2024
As part of our concert cycle On the Same Page, we commissioned two new works by Cooper Grosscup and José Daniel Vargas to demonstrate the theme of the program: how different composers interpret the same text. Here is the source text and recordings of their work:
I confess,
I love that which caresses me.
I believe Love has its share
in the sun's brilliance
and virtue
I desire
and I crave
You set me on fire!
And there was no dance, no holy place
from which we were absent.
Believe me,
I prayed for us
the night
could last twice as long
--Sappho