The title of this piece was suggested by Arnold Schoenberg’s short story "To the Wharfs" in which he describes the mounting anxiety of the members of a French fishing village as the boats and the sea-bound fisherman failed to appear after a storm and several days’ absence. When they were suddenly sighted all shouted "to the wharfs, aux quais, O.K."
Elliott Carter
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer