I was drawn to Witold Lutoslawski as I prepared Program II for my Bach & Sons: Listening for the Future. Sure enough there is an Invention for piano, two parts, in every way reminiscent of those by J.S.B., except for the constantly shifting meters, 11/8, 7/8, 5/8, 3/8, 8/8.
But how is that different from J.S.B. who is constantly beginning figures on off-beats, and displacing what "should" be strong beats?
I added up all the 11x, 7s, 5s, etc. fully expecting them to yield a multiple of 8. No such thing: 8 + 1. How's that for wit!
