Besetzung
Flöte
Klarinette in B
Violine
Violoncello
Klavier
The word Boustrophedon is a 16th century expression which refers to an archaic type of writing in which, after having written a line from left to right, one continues the next line from right to left and then alternates directions. This is the way the oldest known latin inscriptions are written, as well as in the traditional writing of the Touaregs. The etymology comes from the Greek "bous" or ox and the verbal form "trophein" or the verb "to turn". These two elements give the image that this writing is traced in the same way that the ox pulled the plow in the fields.
In the sub-title, there is an evocation of Rimbaud&lsquo,s famous "Vowel" sonnet
Oh, sublime trumpet full of strange piercing sounds
The author wanted to suggest both musically and technically the manner of this style of writing in boustrophedon.
The work begins thus with a sonorous strange sonorous background which suggests this type of writing.
This strange atmosphere is created by glissandi on the piano strings as well as on the strings of the violin and the violoncello. These atlernating movements create "strange piercing sounds" against which the flute and clarinet alternately play brief sequences which create the outline of a melody. Then the atmosphere changes : the violin, the cello and the piano come together in a percussive violent outburst, which creates a tragic, passionate feeling which may also be considered "strange piercing sounds".
Several long aleatoric phrases are then presented like a sonorous halo which intensify to bring the lister to an intense Chorale-like phrase which serves as the central pillar of the work. This phrase is repeated several times, each time gaining in intensity to bring the work to its summit. At the conclusion, the theme is presented again with a great violence, this time without the boustropedon but perhaps with "strange piercing sounds".