Happy Birthday, Mr Darwin!

In Happy Birthday, Mr Darwin!, like the evolutionary process itself, short rhythmic cells emerge, transform, and cluster, gradually giving rise to increasingly complex musical structures.

These highly tense sequences alternate with a chorale-like episode in sustained note values, which also evolves progressively through its successive appearances. This minimalist piece is conceived as a vibrant homage to Darwin—especially timely in an era when obscurantist forces of all kinds seek to drag humanity back into its darkest shadows.

The world premiere was given by the Alcatrasax Quartet on January 16, 2010, at the Evere Cultural Center (Brussels), as part of the “Nouvelle Musique Consonante” festival.