The request from the Yorkshire based oboe player and teacher Michael McKenna was simple enough: to supply an 'entertaining' divertimento for a repertoire which needed much expansion. Any composer should be delighted to be called upon to be useful and the writing of these short pieces in the Spring of 1984 I found a challenge on many levels. The title intends to suggest that the pieces might be heard as small amusing musical satires. There are four Cartoons: 1 Vivace, 2 Adagio, 3 Allegretto semplice, 4 Poco allegro 

These sound clips were recorded at the work's first performance in 1984. Attached (with permission) in the discography section are links to excellent recordings made in 2017 by The Cavell Trio: Shelly Myers (oboe), Osiris Molina (clarinet) and Jenny Mann (bassoon) included in their album entitled New Discoveries (Blue Griffin Records).