Preámbulo (1989)

Composer note
Rhythm has been one of my main concerns during the last years. Preámbulo reflects this in a very obvious way, in that the predominant element in the work is rhythm. In dance mnusic there is a rhythmic cell that is characteristic, making it possible for the listener, for example, to identify and differentiate a waltz from a mazurka. Preámbulo is centered around a distorted clave rhythm of five beats (the usual clave used in salsa music has four beats). This cell appears in all the different sections of the orchestra, changing both in register and color. In contrast to the brilliant outer sections of the work, the middle part is very lyrical and melodious.

— Roberto Sierra