Michael Kurth: 'Because They Wave Back' for 2 vln, cello, bass, and percussion

Because They Wave Back is a 5 movement, 30ish-minute work for string quintet (2 violins, viola, cello, bass) and 1 percussionist (groove-based improvising on doumbek, djembe, cajon, snare, hi-hats, and kick). Thoroughly tonal, with tender melodies and flights of whimsy, it features an extended improvised snare drum solo in the third movement and a finale in which the sextet leads the audience in a singalong. Definitely a memorable crowd-pleaser, it shatters traditional walls between "classical" musicians and audiences.