Living in the United States since 1980, Argentine-born bassist and composer Pablo Aslan is recognized internationally as one of the leading figures in traditional and contemporary tango.

Three movements: I - Carnival in Venice; II - Country Road; III - Dream. Written in 2002, for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello & contrabass. Wolfgang: born in Bad Gastein, Austria in 1957, currently resides in Los Angeles."The inspiration for the individual movements came not so much from actual experiences, but rather from my imagining looking at a painting of, say, a carnival in Venice."

Matthew Lipman, viola; Henry Kramer, piano. Two movements: I - Crisálidas (Chrysalis); II - Dança das Borboletas (Dance of the Butterflies). "Lipman is heard in the world-premiere recording of Clarice Assad’s fantasy piece, Metamorfose (Metamorphosis), which the violist commissioned. It’s a poignant commentary on grief and acceptance."

Written for amplified cello and electronics, all pieces are performed by world–renowned cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, long time member of Kronos Quartet, cellist for John Zorn, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and many more. The composers self-selected an array of scientific minds which intrigued them musically and which represent a range of research that has shaped humanity as a whole. Paola Prestini (NYC) and Andrew Kruczkiewicz (Climatologist).

Four movements (performer's choice of order): III - Primavera porteña; I - Verano porteña; IV - Otoño porteña; II - Invierno porteña. Neave is based in Cambridge and consists of violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov, and pianist Eri Nakamura. Neave is a Gaelic name meaning "bright" and "radiant". Piazzolla's piece is known as The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Its four parts weren't originally organized as a suite, although Piazzolla performed them together from time to time. They were originally scored for his quintet of violin/viola, piano, electric guitar, double bass and bandoneón, but the version we're about to hear was arranged for violin, cello and piano. The movement order chosen by Neave is Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter

Six movements: I - Couperin's Ghost; II - Pavanas of Milan; III - Downland's Spanish Galliard; IV - Sarabandas of Rumi; V - Canarios de Gaspar; VI - Passacaille. Alan Rinehart based in British Columbia. John Oliver (b. 1959): "The Ancient Heroes Suite was commissioned by Alan Rinehart, who suggested I create a whole suite inspired by ancient music after he performed my Pavanas of Milan in Vancouver in 2008. Four of the six pieces directly reference, in the title, the composers whose music inspired them. This music echoes the past through a resonating chamber of the present."

Mario Ciaccio, tenor saxophone; Sauro Berti, clarinet; Naomi Fujiya, piano. Arthur Gottschalk is Professor of Music Composition at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. "In Benny, Zoot, and Teddy, one can almost hear witty banter back and forth between the instruments. Two best friends strolling through a lively city scene as they converse immediately comes to mind."