The first movement is in the style of a concerto grosso with each group of five instruments taking turns as the concertino and the other two groups acting as the ripieno accompaniment.  Tutti sections link the solo sections.

The second movement is in the form of a choral prelude with the tenor instrument in each group taking the choral melody in turn  and the two treble instruments from another group providing the variations; the bass is provided by the third group.

The last movement is a fugue with all instruments playing the subject at some stage.

Three Times Five is also reflected in the rhythms.  The first movement is in 15/16 - three groups of  five semiquavers.  The second movement is in 8/8 - five quavers plus three quavers.  The third movement is in 15/8 - five groups of three quavers.  Three Times Five is reflected in other ways as well.

The Phrygian mode is dominant in the frist and last movements with the second movement being primarily in the Dorian mode.  Some twentieth century scales are used at the climax of the Fugue.

The thematic material for the choral is derived from Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ from Bach’s Cantata No 177 and this is also found in a form closer to the original in the Fugue.