The music is breathtakingly energetic and such dissonances that arise are entirely in keeping with the circus-style atmosphere that pervades the piece, starting from a helter-skelter run down in bar one (think Arabian Caprice, now double the speed). The harmonies are dark but support the primary motif - one of scuttling busyness - in a really effective way. And just as in an acrobatic routine, there are changes of pace that would reflect the change of pace of the acrobats, and different players are the 'star of the moment' with the theme. There is a wonderful passage in 7/16 that piles entry up entry, almost like a human pyramid.
I love the piece. Taken slowly, any of the lines could be played by a Grade 8 player, but taken up to speed and coupled with the need to be totally self-reliant amongst seven other players, realistically this is not for anything other than an ensemble of consummate skill.
Derek Hasted
