EL YUNQUE
Program Note
El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States and is located in Puerto Rico. It is home to many exotic creatures, including the Puerto Rican Parrot and the tree frog called “Coqui.” Because both of these are so musical in their vocalizations, I decided to create a sound environment composed of their cries.
The Puerto Rican Parrot utters distinctive “kar…kar” while flying. Each note is given on a descending scale. It also gives loud squawks when taking off, and some chuckling notes. When perched, both mates perform duets.
Coqui is a tiny tree frog, onomatopoeically named for the loud sound the males make at night, sometimes reaching as high as 100 decibels! It is the unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico and is very popular, enlivening the evenings with its ko-kee from which it get its name. The coquies begin to sing when the sun goes down at dusk, singing all night long until dawn. When I visited Puerto Rico, the lusty serenade of these tireless divos fascinated me, and I imagined strange love songs, whose messages could only be comprehended by their lady loves, filling the night with arias unknown to human beings.

String orchestra.

Duration: 4'

Publisher: Protone Music, Inc.