Always (Quartet for Cellos) – David Evan Thomas

Instrumentation: Cello Quartet

Duration: 18:30 minutes

Date Written: 2026

Program Note: 

Always, a quartet for cellos, was commissioned by Ray and Leola Schreurs in honor of an extraordinary event: the 75th anniversary of their marriage in 2026. I wrote a trio, Diamond, for the couple’s 60th anniversary, and was honored to receive a request for a new work for their current celebration. Ray and Le have two sons: Steve and Darr. Darr was a cellist, so it was easy to convince Ray that a cello quartet would be a rich, flexible and meaningful ensemble for the occasion.

Always unfolds in four movements. The first movement, “Through Wind and Water,” commemorates Ray’s World War Two service as a sailor in the Pacific. “Softshoe” is a gentle dance for two with a few modern touches. “LXXV” is of course the number 75, here expressed in so many chords of varying color and intensity. The finale gradually brings Irving Berlin’s classic tune into focus, until the title appears unmistakably in all caps: ALWAYS, ALWAYS!

Always received its premiere on June 27, 2026 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota by Laura Sewell, Anna Clift, Jane Cords-O’Hara, and Alex Chambers-Ozasky.