TETRIS
for double wind quintet (decet)
 
A Dynamic and Narrative-Driven Work for Wind Decet
Tetris (2009) by Lior Navok is an 18-minute work for double wind quintet—two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two horns, and two bassoons. Inspired by the relentless pace of New York City, the piece reflects the breathless, mechanical flow of urban life, where people move like Tetris pieces trying to fit into an ever-accelerating pattern. Structured in four connected movements—Keep Moving, Gutter People, Getting Busy, and Keeping Busy—the work portrays both the fascination and the underlying tragedy of modern speed. Commissioned for the Hindemith Woodwind Quintet by the Hochschule für Musik, Mainz with support from the Annie Eisler Lehmann Stiftung, it offers a vivid and dynamic addition to the Double Wind Quintet repertoire.
 
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About the Music
Tetris is an 18‑minute work inspired by the relentless pace, density, and psychological pressure of New York City. Written for the Hindemith Quintet and commissioned by the Hochschule für Musik Mainz, the piece unfolds in four connected movements that mirror the city’s breathless motion, its hidden lives, and its constant demand for speed. The writing highlights the ensemble’s vast coloristic range—from tightly interlocking rhythmic blocks to dark, subterranean textures—creating a vivid portrait of urban energy, alienation, and human endurance.
It is ideal for advanced students and emerging professionals, demanding sharp rhythmic precision, stamina, and confident ensemble coordination. The work is highly effective in contemporary chamber concerts, academic programs, and large‑ensemble recitals. Because all parts are doubled, it is frequently programmed for faculty‑and‑student collaborative ensembles. Its cinematic energy and immediately recognizable urban atmosphere create a strong audience impact, rendering it well-suited for medium and large halls where the full sonority of the Double Wind Quintet can fully resonate.
 
Movements:
Keep Moving
Gutter People
Getting Busy
Keeping Busy
 
Program Notes
Tetris — for double wind quintet, was written during the fall of 2009 in New York City. The city, with its fast pace of life, neurotic flow, continuous stream of people, traffic, and information, serves as the inspiration for this piece. Watching from the sidelines, the fast-moving people appeared to me like robots controlled by an above force, mechanically moving from one place to another, fighting against the clock, against the part of the brain that says – “Relax!” and against each other. Surviving amidst a jungle of brick walls and tall buildings. It seemed to me that people could not enjoy a full basic inhale-exhale process. Good breathing consumes too much time.
People were constantly looking for ways to juggle between many things at the same time. They seemed to me like Tetris players who try to match the bricks to a certain pattern, constantly in demand to increase speed. Though to the stranger, this pace of life looks fascinating and exciting, I felt that deep inside things look a bit different, quite tragic.
The first and fourth movements refer to the continuous, breathless pace of life. Restless people are the subject of the third movement, a short satire. The second movement is inspired by the thousands of people who spend all their lives in the cellar of a restaurant or shop after immigrating from far away, only to serve the ever-hurrying people above them.
Tetris was written for the Hindemith Woodwind Quintet. It was commissioned by the Hochschule für Musik, Mainz with kind support from the Annie Eisler Lehmann Stiftung.
 
Specifications
Duration: 18 minutes
Year Composed: 2009
Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, 2 Bassoons
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Product and Rental Information
Performance Materials: Available for rental. Performers must fill out the Music Rental Form to obtain the full performance scores and parts.
Study Scores: Available for instant purchase and download.
Availability: Instant PDF Download (Study Score).
Return Policy: Digital downloads are not eligible for returns.
Condition: New