'Musica arcaica No.1' is the first piece in a series of chamber music works in which Schneider as a composer examines music of other cultures (songs, dances among others). The old Cypriot shepherd's song Voskos inspired the composer to apply the archaic composition techniques of drone, heterophony and ostinato. The song expresses different moods: The first half of the song is dominated by the yearning lament 'Im Pferch eingesperrt bin ich geboren, im Pferch werde ich sterben'. The second half sets the ecstatically and defiantly, but also proudly sustained thought of death 'Niemand von euch kennt den Tod, noch das Altern!' to music. Schneider presents these emotions in a convincing and exciting manner by means of instruments.