Commissioned by Festival Afekt

Category:

Orchestra

Subcategory:

Large Orchestra

Composed:

2024

Duration:

31 minutes

Orchestration:

3.3.3.3—4.3.3.1—1+3Perc—Harp—Celesta—Strings

First performed:

November 1, 2024, Estonia Concert Hall, by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Clement Power.

Publisher:

Schott Music

Availability:

Program notes

Phos is a symphony in one movement, divided into four distinct sections. Each section has its character and mood, yet a unified musical idea closely connects them. This structure creates a cohesive whole when played sequentially, giving the impression of a single continuous movement. The symphony form, as one of the largest in orchestral music, allowed me to explore broader musical processes. The title Phos, from the Ancient Greek word for both physical and metaphorical light, symbolizes development, awareness, and growth driven by curiosity. Initially inspired by the ‘Pillars of Creation’ in the Eagle Nebula – where new stars emerge from towering tendrils of cosmic dust — the symphony’s meaning evolved to reflect inner light and a quest for knowledge and growth.