In his preface, the composer writes:

"The original idea of the composition was: 7 whole tones, 7 beats (first movement), 7 players. This resulted in a work for three groups of strings following whole tones on C and F: Steps!"

This work is impressively structured with its sonorous string sound, at times, the music is quite dramatic, it shows aspects of the late romantic period while being moderately modern. This piece makes high demands on the rhythmic skills of players and conductors alike.

Gunter Folgnand, born in Berlin in 1930, was first violinist in the Radio Sinfonie Orchester Frankfurt.