In this piece, Kancheli uses seven themes and motives from different works by Bach.

Chiaroscuro is a term borrowed from the field of art history. Here it refers to a painting technique developed in the Renaissance and early Baroque which is specifically concerned with contrasts between bright and dark.

Kancheli, a native of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, has risen to world-class prominence during the past decade. Like much of his music, the Piano Quartet has made a lasting impression on audiences who respond to its profoundly spiritual impact. The title, implying a return to an original tempo, suggests the quiet constancy of a human heartbeat.