Performances: After the world premiere in Tucson, the renowned Artis Quartet presented its U.S. East Coast premiere at Washington’s Library of Congress on February 28, 2007 and its European premiere at the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria on March 15, 2007.

Score available from composer at taniagabrielle@mac.com

The composer writes:

“Each of the four movements is a dance reflecting different states of happiness. 1. Ease ­ As a leaf floats over shoaling waters, a simple melody dances over rhythmic harmonies. 2. Mirth ­ Rollickingly rambunctious, spicy and zestful; this dance is simply a belly laugh for strings. 3. Reflection ­ Arching lines, shifting hues; a sonic meditation soothes the wearied soul. 4. Bliss ­ Cascading tones massage the ear like falling snow tickles the ground. Sublime are gently singing strings vibrating true.”

Tania Gabrielle French graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, where she studied with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Lewis Spratlan. She continued her studies with another Pulitzer Prize winner, Bernard Rands, at the Aspen Music Festival’s Center for Compositional Studies, as well as with Oliver Knussen at the Aldeburgh Music Festival in England. Among the artists who have featured Ms. French’s music are the Artis, New Hollywood, Da Vinci, and Angeles String Quartets, as well as notable soloists–pianist Stephen Prutsman; oboists Allan Vogel and Helen Jahren; and cellists Bion Tsang, Jeffrey Solow, and Ronald Leonard. She has received numerous commissions from groups such as the Corona del Mar Baroque Festival and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers.

Ms. French has created an acclaimed CD, “Renewal” (2006), which blends a touch of pop with classical and new age instrumentals. She is a published author of articles and workbooks on the power of music and its effect on life.