Instrumentation: flute

Duration: 5 minutes

Year composed: 2019

First performance: Phoebe Robertson, Kresge Theater, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, December 3rd 2019

Other performances: Phoebe Robertson, Manhattan School of Music, New York, (NY), USA, February 26th 2020

Carla Rees, Midlands New Music Symposium, Online, Nottingham, UK, December 6th 2020

Program note: Sur la crête d’un enfer à contempler les fleurs is inspired by one of Kobayashi Issa’s haikus. This piece follows the development of a simple cell that expands progressively. The development is interrupted by bursts of intense events. These outbursts become more and more frequent and longer, finally transforming into the main element of the piece. This narrative is a personal interpretation of Kobayashi’s words.

世の中は地獄の上の花見哉
In this world
We walk on the roof of hell
Gazing at flowers