“El duende is the spirit of evocation. It comes from inside as a physical/emotional response to art. It is what gives you chills, makes you smile or cry as a bodily reaction to an artistic performance that is particularly expressive... According to Christopher Maurer, editor of 'In Search of Duende,' at least four elements can be isolated in Lorca's vision of duende: irrationality, earthiness, a heightened awareness of death, and a dash of the diabolical.”

This work is an attempt to harness that visceral Duende energy—balancing moments of fury, anger, and darkness with sudden instances of piercing light. It explores how this spirit manifests within the tango, specifically paying homage to the great master Astor Piazzolla and his own Duende-driven, electric performances on the bandoneón.

Following an intense, jagged introduction, the music establishes a traditional tango texture—albeit with modern rhythmic twists. A haunting Duende melody begins to spin its web above the gently rocking accompaniment. Throughout the piece, this melodic yearning and the wild, chaotic introductory material battle for supremacy, driving the ensemble toward a frantic, angsty climax. In the denouement, the Duende spirit appears to ebb away, leaving only small fragments of the previous themes to peak through the fading shadows.