Karol Beffa

Caractères

Caractères is a collection of nine pieces for flute and string trio with an arch structure, the pieces responding to each other. The first and ninth pieces echo each other: they share the same teasing spirit, with encounters of spicy notes over an ostinato of eighth notes. The Second and Sixth share a Bartokian inspiration, expressed in abrupt, nervous, choppy movements and close imitations. With their harmonic swaying and rhythmic swaying, the third and seventh pieces create an imaginary choreography. The mischievous fourth piece betrays my taste for Tex Avery cartoons. The fifth is weightless, flute and cello in pizzicato dialogue against a contemplative backdrop of violin and viola. As for the eighth, it presents a single motif in changing harmonisations.