I wrote this piece to honor my Aunt Ra; she passed away 2 years ago. She was my favorite aunt, and she and I bonded over music, with Elton John being our favorite artist — I'd sit at the piano and we'd sing all of his greatest hits. One More Angel reflects on who my Aunt Ra was: a sweet, kind, curious, complicated, warm person. The music was originally written for flute quartet, and I'm excited to hear this new version for cello quartet.

– Ahmed Al Abaca

Evé Sanchez, Roman Wood, Ari H. Scott, and Cameron Slaugh, cello

Audio and video by Nick Reeves • Thumbnail photo by Dylan Masariego