The large-scale form of the one-movement work is in seven parts. A slow introduction begins with multiphonics from the saxophone and cymbal sounds, which are struck with a double bass bow. Vibraphone and marimba provide the chordal foundation for a fanfare-like invocation by the saxophone. The subsequent Allegro is characterised by an ostinato sequence of notes in the marimba, derived from the chords of the introduction; above this, the saxophone develops a jazz-influenced gesture based on a four-note sequence. The structural elements are processed in a cadenza-like section, followed by an arioso passage which, over softly throbbing sounds, finally leads to a climax with the B-A-C-B quote in the saxophone. The cadenza continues again. Slap in the saxophone and stopped notes in the vibraphone and marimba open up new tonal possibilities for discussion; the building elements are played off against each other in loose succession. At the end of this second cadenza, the B-A-C-B quote appears again in the saxophone. A varied reprise of the first Allegro section leads to a swan song that takes up the mood of the introduction, whereby the four-note sequence of the Allegro is clearly taken into account. The work ends in pianissimo with a third tone that remains suspended until the end.

Bertold Hummel