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