The original piece was composed for orchestra in 1996. The 'Prelude' (Prélude) employs slightly jazzy and romantic harmonies while adopting a style reminiscent of Prokofiev. The 'Ostinato' reportedly attempts to maintain a constant, eerie rhythmic atmosphere throughout. The theme reappears repeatedly, much like in a Bach fugue. 'Quasi' means 'as if' or 'like,' and 'Ostinato' refers to the constant repetition of a certain musical pattern. Rosenblatt appears to use dissonance more extensively than usual in this work.