QUINDE
for marimba and two percussionists
The Quinde hummingbird, an iconic and traditional symbol of Ecuadorian fauna, is the inspiration behind this pictorial-musical composition, created in July 2016. Through a diverse array of sonic textures and innovative rhythmic creativity, this work seeks to capture the essence and beauty of this iconic bird, known as "quindi" in the Quichua language.
Quinde is inspired by the work of renowned marimbist and composer, Keiko Abe
Instrumentation:
Marimba 5 octaves (C2-C7)
Percussion I:
Glockenspiel, splash cymbal, crash cymbal, china cymbal, 4 woodblocks, bongos, snare drum, gran cassa
Percussion II:
Chimes, splash cymbal, crash cymbal, china cymbal, 4 tom-toms, 2 cowbells, rain stick, tam-tam
Duration:
20:00 min.
Synopsis
"Quinde" is a work that captures the essence of the hummingbird in three distinct aspects: its nature, personality, and capacity. Written in the form of an Allegro-Sonata, the piece features a motif that unfolds through various themes, creating a dynamic musical dialogue.
The initial movement, Vivace ritmico, begins with energy and vitality, establishing a dialogue between the two percussionists. As the movement progresses, a constant passage emerges, where the main theme, the pentatonic theme of the Quinde, surfaces on the marimba, representing the hummingbird's bodily energy and agility. The second element of the work embodies the serenity, majesty, and confidence that emanates from the hummingbird, creating a harmonic and rhythmic contrast that enriches the musical texture.
Lento ad libitum: the Quinde's bipolarity is revealed in an abstract atmosphere, where delicacy and unpredictable tenacity are juxtaposed. The marimba's finger execution represents the Quinde's delicate character, as it flits from flower to flower with grace and lightness. The solemn theme reappears over a polyrhythmic atmosphere, developing across various harmonic fields and creating a rich and complex musical environment. The main motif initiates the re-exposition, recapturing the initial essence that recalls the Quinde's energetic and dynamic nature. Poco meno mosso: an energetic and percussive dialogue takes center stage, representing the Quinde's accelerated and constant heartbeats, which precede the marimba's cadenza. This maintains pentatonic motifs, utilizing contemporary techniques in technique and sonic diversity. In this magical fragment, small preceding motifs are interwoven with percussive representation, creating an exciting and dynamic musical effect. The culmination of this fragment occurs with the solemn motif, in a majestic tone that evokes the Quinde's grandeur and beauty.
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Vivace assai: The representation of the Quinde's flight unfolds with impressive tenacity, speed, and balance. A constant, violent, and delicate gust confronts the serenity and meticulousness required for its arduous labor. The main motif emerges, and just as the hummingbird flits from flower to flower, the motif traverses from timbre to timbre, without abandoning the atmosphere of flight, which becomes increasingly tenacious and exhilarating. Vivace molto presto: the final coda revisits the theme of bipolarity, ever-present in the hummingbird. With an agitated and energetic rhythm, the work concludes in a virtuosic and magical manner, highlighting the Quinde's maximum expression. The main motif merges with bipolarity in an apoteotic finale, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and admiration for the hummingbird's beauty and complexity.