This great piece is constructed of four sequences. It was originally composed in 1978, and commissioned by Rhin Opera. It was then performed as a world premiere by Les Percussions de Strasbourg. The piece is very popular and famous within the percussion community as an ensemble piece, and has become a standard part of the repertoire. It’s not a well-known fact, but this piece was originally written for dance.

Xenakis suggests the six percussionists are to be positioned in the centre either in a circle, or horizontally lined from left as A-B-C-D-E-F towards the audience. He then left some freedom for the players to determine which sequences are to be played and in which order, although he does suggest four orders.