The ten pieces in the so-called Viennese Sketchbook were composed and repeatedly revised at different times between the years 1975 and 1991. Although all of these works openly pay tribute to Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, Ford's treatment of traditional materials remains strikingly original, without a hint of academic constraint or self-conscious imitation.
The Scherzo in G Major, whose curious subtitle "Il Singulto" ("The Hiccough") refers to the humorous alternation of staccato and slurred notes in the opening theme, generally maintains a light two-voice texture. (The art presented above seems especially appropriate, since immoderate indulgence in food and drink often results in hiccoughs!)