A recent television documentary featured a Caracas woman caressing a small unopened bottle of corn oil “like it’s her firstborn,” writes Ms. O’Grady.

In later weeks, when Kevin drove past Ogui Road, there were soldiers at the roadblock near the market, walking around, caressing their long guns.

One of the first movement’s principal motifs, outlining a minor third in stepwise motion, receives just the right caressing attention from all four players.