Although the title „Relief“ is rather detached and dry, this work has a very intimate and personal content. “Relief” and “for oboe in the ensemble” help understand the technical matter of fact: the oboe is not used as a solo instrument, rather as part of the ensemble; by behaving rhythmically different to the ensemble, she peels out her melodic contours out of the plane surroundings, starts throwing sound shadows. These shadows begin to accumulate independence, the structure develops towards density and increasing movement, culminating in a dramatic outburst.
The last part sees the oboe stream missing, the colours have changed: as opposition to high strings, there is a alto flute and a bass clarinet. The elegiac finale is counterpointed by two very high violins, which seem to tear apart the sound horizon in a disquieting manner.