Uneven portraits

Abstract

Any portrait is always a personal representation of reality. These five pieces for saxophone quartet are a sonic personal reinterpretation of different influences, impressions, and reflections in my musical atmosphere. They are uneven because any portrait would fail to be faithful. The three movements titled Cycles are inspired by patterns and melodies coming from different popular music from Latin America. Cycles I is related to salsa and to nightlife that surrounds this music. Cycles II is also related to this popular rhythm but has influences from progressive rock. The rhythms on which Cycles III is based on can be found in several types of Latin American popular music that utilize 6/8 time signature. Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera was a great explorer of this meter. Victims is an homage to the 5,405,629 victims of the conflict in Colombia (counted from 1985 to 2013 by the government). Absences is related to the emptiness and sadness these victims left behind.