Scherzo for Nonet

Scherzo for nonet is a masterpiece of Papandopulo’s and belongs among the peaks of his chamber works. Although quite brief and unpretentious, this is an effective and attractive composition that in the hands of first-rate interpreters sounds powerful and impressive. The Scherzo was composed in Split in March and April 1964 and was dedicated to the Rostocker Nonett. Like other Papadopulo scherzos, this was meant for musical virtuosi. It is characterised by outstanding demands from the standpoint of technique and interpretation and moves on in an exceptionally rapid tempo, sometimes on the very edges of performability. The great speed of performance, in concert with the incredible rhythmic diversity of Scherzo, which the composer achieves with complex and very diverse rhythmic note values within the bars, fill the composition with an explosive energy and élan. The work sparkles with wit and spirit and at moments recalls the music of American cartoon films in which the rapid on-screen events are matched by equally rapid virtuoso music that brings out the comedy, and the at times neck-breaking speed of the action and the movements of the figures.