The opportunity to write a string quartet for the Chilingirians was on the table for a long time. After several false starts, the present piece was begun in Crete in the summer of 2000. An earlier work – (Undulations and other movements) – relates in part to the physical landscape of the Charente and I began Aphrodite’s Rock with a similar starting point, but this time also trying to capture some of the extraordinary sounds of the village where we were staying. Coming to Cyprus...