Griebling-Haigh: Casse-tete for woodwind quintet

Code: JP5050
ISMN: 979-0-3019-0478-7

Casse-tete was commissioned by the Solaris Woodwind Quintet and was premiered on November 12, 2006 at the University of Akron, Ohio. As there are numerous multi-movement works in the repertoire, this single movement work, of approximately 13 minutes duration, was written specifically to provide a bit of balance to either half of a program. Due to its zippy ending, and its opening material which is by turns mysterious and bold, Casse-tete makes an appropriate opening or closing piece.

The French word Casse-tete has several meanings; in this case "jigsaw puzzle" (not "head-ache"!). Much of the material in Casse-tete is based on the solfege syllables sol, la, ri, sol (G, A, D-sharp - usually spelled as E-flat, G). A sultry flute solo alternates with an argumentative fanfare motif before the bassoon launches into a syncopated walking bass line punctuated by jazzy chords. The opening solo and fanfare material is restated in several guises between the main sections of the piece. A slower section eventually ensues, featuring an expressively heavy, throbbing theme over a similar walking bass line ostinato whose character is much altered by the difference in tempo. This is followed by a perky scherzando which leads to a recapitulation and a con brio coda.

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