Antiques and Curios begins as a suite but ends up as a set of double variations on themes first fully encountered in the fifth movement: 1) a mirror canon “borrowing” an unused section of score from a film about Sigmund Freud, stated by the clarinet and oboe, and 2) Schumann’s Sphinxes (from Carnival), played by the remaining three instruments.
There are seven movements, each (excepting the fifth) being a social dance, or rather a somewhat grotesque and grimacing version thereof. As the piece progresses, the joins and connections between the movements become more ambivalent: the last movement is effectively a medley of three dances beginning with a kind of sarabande which leads to the “Freud” theme metamorphosised into a “hoochy-coochy” dance, whilst Schumann’s tune is transformed into a “conga”.
Much of the material of Antiques and Curios originates from a much earlier quintet. However, such material has undergone major cosmetic surgery, including tucks, implants and liposuction. It feels much better as a result!
1) Galop
2) Waltz/March
3) Tango
4) Polka
5) Promenade
6) Knees-Up/Musette
7) Sarabande/Hoochy-Coochy/Conga
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