(visit http://www.carlschimmel.com to purchase score and parts)
These extremely short works (or fragments) are in several ways typical of my recent work: (1) they are short, (2) they are rhythmic, (3) they consist of blocks of ideas and sudden contrasts (rather than smooth development), and (4) they are somewhat humorous or whimsical. While they are not as absurd as some of my other compositions, they may nevertheless come across as slightly amusing if only for their sudden stops and starts and for their mechanical quality. The rhythmic drive of each of the movements is, as I say, a hallmark of my recent works, but more pronounced; also pronounced is their extreme simplicity: a three-note cell (and not its inversion) forms the general basis for each movement. Although they are simple and mechanical-sounding, these wind-up toys are not particularly cute or dainty – rather, they are at times maniacal, threatening, enraged, creepy, twisted, and/or monstrous.
