Gheorghe Zamfir (pan flute)
Czech Sinfonietta
Radek Baborák (conductor)

The pan flute holds a significant place in Romanian folk music, with Gheorghe Zamfir pioneering flute techniques in the '80s, elevating it to a concert level worldwide. In the hands of Zamfir, the pan flute becomes an instrument equal to traditional orchestral instruments, offering endless expressive colours and technical capabilities for playing modern music.

Surprisingly, there is a lack of large original compositions for the pan flute. Therefore, writing two original compositions for this instrument and a modern orchestra is a revolutionary and groundbreaking project, providing justice to the pan flute and offering future players a challenging musical and technical work.

Elia Cmiral is best known for his film scores, notably Ronin where he revolutionary introduced an Armenian instrument duduk, as a lead instrument in the symphonic, epic score. Cmiral musical style combines contemporary electronica with the modern orchestra, joining cutting edge technology and production with evocative and haunting melodic themes.

Gheorghe Zamfir met composer Elia Cmiral whilst collaborating on a short film for which he composed the score. Gheorghe played solo on a few tracks.

During this period, their connection deepened, with a shared appreciation for musical aesthetics and a mutual love for emotionally resonant melodies. Their joint understanding continued after the completion of the film, evolving into a cross-continental friendship — Cmiral in Los Angeles, US, and Zamfir in Bucharest, Romania.