Hybris is inspired by the poetry of W. H. Auden, in particular Dance Macabre and Death’s echo, two poems that meditate on the brevity and meaning of life.

The poet depicts life as an intoxicating, twirling dance that unfolds and becomes in turn celebration, struggle, sharing or madness…

The music is built around a basic, obsessive rhythm that gives rise to a multitude of short sequences inspired by urban dance. These sequences are continuously interlinked and superimposed.
The continuity of the dance is often interrupted by moments of sonic immobility, which relaunch the rhythmic flow with fresh energy. This energy gradually brings with it the hybris, the excess of passion, the vertigo and exhaustion engendered by continuous effort.

These lines from W.H. Auden echoed in my head as I composed this piece:

Dance, dance, for the figure is easy
The tune is catching and will not stop
Dance till the stars come down with the rafters
Dance, dance, dance till you drop.
(Death’s echo)