The work is polytonal, with nearly every instrument playing around a different tonal center,[1] and is also characterized by its fast moving lines, pastoral topoi, and energetic sound.
His stay in Brazil influenced his music, especially the quickly moving lines in the opening and closing movements, which are reminiscent of the “Brazilian rainforest”.
[4] The work is a septet for the following instruments: flute, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
The use of the clarinet lends a unique quality, and the addition of each new instrument adds increasing dissonance and polytonality to the work.
The second movement, Calme, begins with alternating sixteenth note figures in the flute and clarinet, accompanied by pizzicato cello and bass.