Bennu's Fire - II. Phoenix Song by Roger Zare

Bennu's Fire is a concerto for clarinet and orchestra or wind ensemble, commissioned by Alexander Fiterstein (http://www.fiterstein.com) and the California State University Northridge wind ensemble. This video is from the premiere on August 5, 2011, at the International Clarinet Association's "ClarinetFest" by Fiterstein and the CSUN wind ensemble with Larry Stoffel conducting.

This concerto takes its name from the Egyptian prototype of the various firebird legends that permeate cultures around the world. This piece unites a collection of varying components from assorted myths of the firebird's lifecycle, showcasing all that has developed from the Egyptian bird of resurrection, the Bennu.

Many firebird myths state that the bird's cry is a singularly beautiful song. The second movement seeks to represent this, highlighting the beauty and lyricism of the solo clarinet over a series of varying textural accompaniment intensities from a lone vibraphone to a clarinet and saxophone duet, a timpani roll to a full-bodied brass presentation of the melody. Following a cadenza from the soloist, the full ensemble plays an expansive elaboration of the original song. From this, the solo clarinet descends gently to a place of calm and serenity.

for more information on this piece as well as recordings of all three movements, please visit http://www.rogerzare.com/bennu.htm
filmed and recorded with the Zoom Q3HD

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Music

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