LISTEN

CATEGORY

Chamber

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

“Cumba-Quín” derives its onomatopoeic title from vocal imitation of the sounds produced by conga drums when playing against claves in Rumba style. The guitars emulate this distinctively native Cuban sound by assuming the role of claves, palitos, and congas. Through use of the guaguancó (4/4) and columbia (6/8) forms of Rumba, the Quartet narrates an episodic yet cyclic musical essay on the colorful, visceral, and ritualistic aspects of the Afro-Cuban Tradition.

This work is a result of a commission by the LAGQ for Sony Classical.