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Contraflow might be compared to a journey in which the return half is seen in a different perspective. Formally the work consists of a scherzo and trio, where the expected reprise turns into a slow movement in which the scherzo is recapitulated in reverse, with seemingly little resemblance to the original. Within this overall framework there is another process at work – a sequence of tiny concertinos for each member of the ensemble, beginning halfway through the scherzo with second violin, trombone and oboe; then flute, trumpet and viola; in the trio, clarinet, horn and cello; and in the slow movement, contrabassoon, percussion and bass, with finally a duo for first violin and piano.

Contraflow lasts around 12 minutes: it was commissioned by the Huddersfield Festival and the London Sinfonietta with funds made available by the Arts Council of Great Britain, and is dedicated to ‘my friends in the London Sinfonietta, especially Rosemary, and to Diego Masson.’

Colin Matthews