Dario Cebic writes: 'Quartet for Double Basses is a passionate and melodic piece with many dramatic sequences composed with chromatic elements, melancholic passages and diatonic chords, with many virtuosic passage allied to an intricate harmony.

This is technically difficult piece with many double stops used in the first and second string in positions that are well suited to the double bass. The piece basically consists of an extended tripartite form, with certain parts which are repeated. Equally, the rhytmic aspect of the piece is based on two different motives, of short and small rhythms, and of long tones beneath which passages of tension, sudden melodic changes in atmosphere and style. Also the use of tone colours obtained by the basses demonstrate the light and dark shades or tones available and a huge contrast in certain parts of a song.'

Dario Cebic was born in Zagreb (Croatia) and learned piano and violin from an early age before transferring to double bass and also studying piano, music theory and composition. He attended Elementary and Secondary school of Vatroslav Lisinski in Zagreb, after which he started higher education in piano, double bass, composition, musical science, music culture, music theory, music pedagogy, conducting and musicology. He was awarded several master degrees between 2004-2007.

In 2007 he started his doctoral studies in music science. He studied composition with Prof. Michael Obst at Universität für Musik and darstellende Kunst in Vienna and attended specialisation with Karlheinz Stockhausen. In 2012 he finished his doctoral studies (dr. phil) at Universität für Musik and darstellende Kunst in Graz and postgraduale study in composition at Universität für Musik and darstellende Kunst in Vienna.

Dario Cebic has won many prizes and awards (1st Prize - International Composition Competition in Vienna / 2nd Prize - International Composition Competition in Greece / 2nd Prize - Composition Competition in Zagreb, Croatian Cultural Association / 2nd Prize - International Composition Competition in Greece 2013 for his Sextett for flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, vibes and piano / incentive of Croatian Minstry of Culture for his Symphony for large Orchestra / special awards in New York, Greece, France, Croatia and Austria). In 2010 he received the town award for development and improvement of music art. In 2011, 2013 and 2014, he obtained recognition from the Croatian Association of Music and Dance Teachers. (Biography supplied by the composer)