Instrumentation: Bb Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trombone, Electric Guitar, Cello. Duration: 6 mins.
Program Notes:
In 2017, Puerto Rico was devasted by the impact of Hurricane María. Floods, months long power outages, food scarcity and societal collapse ensued, threw the whole social order into disarray and caused the deaths of over 4,645 people. Most of these deaths being from the lack of emergency services and other much needed social structures. Political instability, economic stagnation and many other factors led me to write my Elegía for the Victims of Hurricane María and us for concert band.
This present work, however, is motivated by the incredible rage that has angered thousands of Puerto Ricans in and out of the island, after the landfall of Hurricane Fiona (2022) that caused almost the very same damage, five years later. Fury, not because of the nature of these kinds of uncontrollable weather patterns, but because of the government’s complete incompetence, lack of preparation and foresight to avert or ameliorate the disaster and be of help to the people.
Whereas in Elegía I was mournful for a world and nature lost, here I am angry for the one that we’re still having to endure.
Julio Elvin Quiñones | Composer 