“I have always been attracted to chamber music in the classical world. As a committed jazz player and composer, my musical performances have long featured a lot of improvised content. That said, throughout my life I have continued to explore the amazing piano repertoire in the classical canon, as well as chamber and symphonic music.

I believe that there are a lot of similarities between a string quartet (or other small chamber music ensemble) and small group jazz playing. Although classical chamber music is not improvised, there is still an individualism in each player that combines into a symbiotic whole. There is also lots of room for interpretation, despite how often a piece has been performed and recorded. The intense listening and reacting to other players is another common element.

It was a great pleasure to write for and perform with the Penderecki String Quartet. I hope you enjoy our collaboration with my longtime friends, Jim Vivian and Kelly Jefferson.

Special thanks to: Jim Vivian, Kelly Jefferson, the Penderecki String Quartet, Chad Irschick, Michael Haas, Reuben Ghose, Sam Dickinson, Janice Dickinson and Louise Pauls.” – Brian Dickinson