Super excited to share this awesome piece called “Phoenix” that Alexander Timofeev wrote for me back in 2016! “Phoenix” became quite popular among clarinet players, especially after it was selected as the finalist of the 2016 Thailand International Composition Festival. Alex and I finally had a chance to make a proper recording of it, so please enjoy!
Stas Chernyshev, clarinet (StasChernyshev, clarinet)
Alexander Timofeev , piano (Timofeev.org)
Buy score: [ Ссылка ]
"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, other-worldly landscape take hold of one’s imagination. This elusive vision ends abruptly just like a dream, but the Phoenix does not succumb into darkness."
-Alexander Timofeev
