“Sestetto was written in 1998 to celebrate of the 15th anniversary of the Almelo Chamber Music Foundation. The 6 instruments of the piece (to which the title refers) are flute, harp, 2 violins, viola and violoncello. Part 1. Andante, is characterized by slow, continuous movement in the harp, which is continually placed in a different light by the string quartet. The flute, which is treated like a soloist throughout the work, always brings variations to the same musical phrase. Part 2. Tempo di tango, is based on the principle of classical sonata form and also refers to the Argentinean tango. Part 3. Adagio, has the characteristics of a passacagliaone, one of the freest forms in the Baroque, in which a continuous bass line in the harp forms the foundation. Part 4. Allegro, is a repetitive fast movement with a strinkingly North American character.”

– Theo Verbey