The “free bullets” (Freikugeln) were once believed to be infallible projectiles, achieved through a pact with the devil during shooting festivals. However, it is likely that Strauss did not intend to provide shooters with any diabolical (and deadly, as in Weber’s opera “Der Freischütz”, 1821) aid. He probably simply wished them to be as precise with their aim as if they were using free bullets.

This arrangement for clarinet quartet allows the “free bullets” to travel gracefully from one instr...