This version of SEXTET II is a revision of the work premiered by the New York New Music Ensemble on May 15th, 2006. It begins loudly and vigorously with most of the instruments playing most of the time. At measure 34 there is a modified reprise of the opening material. Partway through this reprise a tightly packed snarl of notes is heard, looking daunting on the page with its dotted 16th notes, 32nd notes, etc. but it really has the rhythm of “Row Row Row Your Boat” in a tightly packed configuration. This figure occurs five times, each time a whole step higher.
Beginning in measure 200 an ascending series of minor 6ths is heard in the piano, beginning on low G. A few bars later the same is heard in the vibraphone beginning on low F, the bottom note of that instrument. Near the end of the work this figure returns in massive “four part harmony” in the flute, clarinet, violin, and ‘cello, doubled by the piano and some vibraphone notes, with virtuosic fast note xylophone activity.
A pianissimo reference to the earlier flute and snare drum is heard at the end.