“And now for something completely different”: This phrase is actually the opposite of a smooth transition – and has become a dictum in this useful-unuseful function. The British comedy group Monty Python used to connect the sketches in their television series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (1969–74) with this abrupt change of subject to something “completely different”. What does this have to do with Johannes Maria Staud’s trio for flute, bassoon and piano?

For long stretches in the trio the ...