Asia regards this quintet, commissioned by the Dorian Wind Quintet, as a sequence of six bagatelles. Each is relatively brief and generally presents only one idea and its development.

The jaunty first movement's main theme, Asia wrote, is "a quick ascent, a hesitant wavering on a plateau, followed by a quick descent. It is developed with an alteration of meter that groups eighth notes in twos and threes. The second piece, marked Moderately, and inward, is relatively quiescent. Mantra-like, it declaims a gentle melodic phrase over a constantly changing harmonic landscape. The third movement, marked Presto, is all about speed. Daring quicksilver changes occur in all spheres—registral, dynamic, and textural."

In striking contrast, the fourth piece is a long, ruminative melody repeated a number of times, with slight embellishments and supporting lines added upon each repetition. The fifth movement, according to Asia, presents "two halves of one idea. One is heard as rapid-fire single-note triplets, followed immediately by a two- or three-part texture, played in eighth notes. Part of the playfulness of the piece is the seeming opposition of these materials, and their ultimate reconciliation."

The sixth piece, marked "Lively," develops a short phrase formed of asymmetrical groups of eighth and sixteenth notes. Each development becomes more elaborate, harmonically and registrally. "However," Asia said, "all is brought aright at the end, as what has been a constantly shifting universe is brought to a state of hard-won repose."

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