Originally Posted by Verdi_Lver

I suggest a trio of some sort with a certain type of instrumentation. If the ensembles are the same then it'd be easier to judge usage of the instruments, and skills of a composer, along with just the merits of the piece.

For the instrumentation I suggest something a bit unusual, bass-clarinet, flute, and french horn, for example...using "normal" instruments, but in a not frequently used ensemble.