The piece is in four short movements, which reflect the traditional layout of a sonata. The first is characterised by clarinet arabesques, which once or twice stray into the piano; the second is a brief scherzo, which begins and ends in with the lowest note of the instrument; the third, a somewhat restless slow movement; and the final movement, marked with abandon, brings things to a brisk conclusion, hinting at moments from the three previous movements along the way