Phoenix —1998

Phoenix was composed for the 4th Annual AIDS Memorial Concert at the National Flute Association annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The premiere was performed by Nancy Andrew and Katherine DeJongh, and the piece was subsequently recorded by Tara Helen O’Connor and David Fedele on the album Robert Maggio: Riddles.

Movements

  1. consuming itself in fire…
  2. rising renewed from the ashes…

Program Notes

This piece is a reflection of the Egyptian myth of the Phoenix, an exquisite solitary bird which lived in the Arabian desert for five centuries and then consumed itself in fire, rising renewed from the ashes to begin another long life. It is a symbol of immortality. I composed Phoenix for the 4th Annual AIDS Memorial Concert at the 1998 National Flute Association Convention in Phoenix, AZ. I hope it might be a symbol of vitality, spiritual renewal, and the belief that we are all immortal in memory.