Grey, Geoffrey: Contretemps for Wind Quartet

“Contretemps” is a French word: contre means “against” and temps means “time.”

Hints of ‘Batman and Robin’, ‘Wallace and Gromit’ and ‘Tom and Jerry’ all stirred in with textures that suggest Copland, Stravinsky and Gospel: a surprisingly entertaining journey for all!

The name is very apt, given the jazzy cross-rhythms of the music, whose attractive style is a glorious juxtaposition of classical, swing, pop and drama. The piece is really a “Concertante” for four solo instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb and Bassoon, who each double as part of a miniature orchestral tutti when they are not engaged in a solo passage. Each player has a short cadenza. The jazz-like elements in particular should be played in their appropriate style. Duration: approx. 17-18 minutes.

Advanced
Former Spartan Press Cat. No.: NM257