Fuga del son

While Western polyphonic music achieved its pinnacle in the fugue, rhythmic polyphony of great complexity evolved in Cuba. It is particularly the “batá” (drumming music originating in the Afro-Cuban “Santería” cult), the “rumba” and the “son” (ancestor of the famous “salsa”) which have provided me with my inspiration. I employ the quartet in the manner of a drumming ensemble and each individual string corresponds to the sound of a particular drum. The quartet plays on scordatura open strings employing a rich palette of percussive playing techniques recreating the different types of drumming attacks. Thierry Pécou