"Esprit Rude/Esprit Doux" is a present from Elliott Carter to prominent composer and conductor of modern music Pierre Boulez, given on the occasion of the latter's 60th birthday celebration in Baden-Baden in 1985. A duet for clarinet and flute, "Esprit Rude/Esprit Doux" is warm-hearted and playful. It alternates slow music, where the clarinet and flute both play sustained tones, often in unison or very near to each other, with faster music. During this faster music, the instruments sometimes play fast together, sounding like playful squirrels chasing each other up and down a tree; other times, one instrument will flitter about while the other instrument either supports it with a long sustained tone or punctuates it with occasional outbursts. This little piece charms the ear and does not outstay its welcome, and its perfectly formed, crystalline sounds and jewel-like structure are typical of this great composer.

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