It is always a distinct pleasure to write for a group you know well and genuinely enjoy being around. This was especially true in my collaboration with the ARUNDOSquintett, a group I had the privilege of hearing numerous times in concert before composing this work for them. My familiarity with their artistry gave me incredible confidence to create a piece that would suit them well, both as individual musicians and as a cohesive ensemble. I was deeply honoured when the group approached me to write a piece for their album Saga, which showcases their favorite quintet repertoire.

From the very outset, I aimed to highlight the unique strengths of each member through significant solos that would allow their individual brilliance to shine. At the same time, I sought to provide ample opportunities for the ensemble to display their dynamic interaction and unified artistry. To bring additional color and vibrancy to the work, I envisioned three distinct characters for the movements: the first, a charmer; the second, a lover; and the third, a jokester.

The piece begins with a playful motif—a repeating, descending interval of a third—that musically evokes the teasing nature of a children’s taunt. This gesture serves as a unifying thread, weaving through the movements and tying their diverse characters together into a cohesive whole.