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“A flight in a dark, mysterious and infinite space... The musical idea that inspired Phoenix was a representation of a nocturnal journey without end.. a flight from one’s own self. Some years ago, I set to music a poem by Nobel laureate Ivan Bunin; in it, in just a few words he has described his life philosophy as “the goal is nothing, the direction is everything”… Since I first read these lines, the phrase was imprinted in my memory. In addition to the perpetuum mobile idea, I had a special interest in exploring the clarinet’s unique timbre and technical agility, creating a piece of virtuoso quality. In my mind, there is no other instrument that could better represent a show of flames, bursts of fire, fiery yet sensitive beauty of the mythical Phoenix dying in its own sacred fire. The clarinet breathes life into the described act of self-immolation, a sacrifice that leads to rebirth and a new beginning. In the middle section, the Bird of Flames arrives at heavenly Paradise, where colors and a beautiful, othe
