The title is taken from the poem Ash Wednesday by T.S. Eliot, but in principle has nothing to do with it.

In this work for flute and large symphony orchestra Gubaidulina plays with intervals and sound waves. She uses the entire register of the solo instrument(s) and orchestra, from the depths of the bass flute and the breadth of the alto flute, up to the shining heights of the concert flute. The music seems to be a continuation of the heavier symphonic works of her influencing predecessors Dm...