The stylistic bandwidth of the Divertimento is vast. The first movement alone presents Casterede as an expert melodist, harmonist, neo-Classicist, and even towards the end an equally gifted avante-gardist. The Canzone is an upmarket gymnopedie in which the meoldy expands over several octaves.The Finale then introduces the piccolo for a kind of Modernist circus music.
The Studio in Jazz is the most extraordinary. At times, one could almost imagaine that the Pink Panther has just wandered into a Messiaen rehersal at the Moulin Rouge. The results are sometimes slightly mad, often hilarious, usually very clever, but always utterly compelling.
Winner: NFA Newly Published Music Awards 2022
Performance duration (approx): 25'
