[4] Aquilo is a classical name for the Northeast wind as designated by the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius in his Ten Books on Architecture.
This is high-energy music, turbulent and vivacious; but Sierra is attentive to variations of pace and volume, relatively serene passages juxtaposed with more tumultuous writing, quieter moments with climaxes.
"[6] In a review of the U.S. premiere with the Utah Symphony, Rick Mortenson states, "Employing the orchestra in a wholly original way, it evoked the fearsome mystery of the wind as it might have appeared to the ancient mind.
Though clearly atonal and hinting at serialism, Aquilo was quite accessible and at times reminiscent, in its rhythmic drive and sense of motion, of John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine.
"[7] In a review of the recording, Andrew Clements describes Aquilo as "startlingly fresh and assured for a first orchestral work.