“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, Stravinski and Gospel: a surprisingly entertaining journey for all!
The name is very apt, given the jazzy cross-rhythms of the music, whos 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.
Scored for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bflat and Bassoon
