Recorded from a reading with Del Sol String Quartet in San Francisco, Fall, 2022. 

Dreaming Phoenix is my first string quartet I have composed in 8 years, and it was so exciting to write one again, especially for the incredible Del Sol String Quartet. This piece is an expression of my rebirth, or reawakening, as a composer. The pandemic from 2020 to 2022 took a huge toll on my life and well-being, so this piece is me ‘rising from the ashes’, reconnecting with myself and my imagination. I am deeply influenced by Korean and Indian music and explore rhythm cycles Utmori and Jhaaptal, timbres, and melodic shapes drawn from various traditions. The image and story I am exploring is a beautiful bird emerging from the embers through rays of light filtered through forest trees.
Written for Del Sol String Quartet, Santa Cruz, Fall 2022
Cover Image by J.H. Williams III

Dreaming Phoenix (2022) featuring Del Sol String Quartet

Composer | Musician | Educator
Composer of Contemporary Art Music inspired by the philosophies and cultures of our beautiful world. 
Plays and collaborates with the violin, piano, hammered dulcimer, accordion, steel-tongue drum and hulusi.
Aspiring educator of music from many corners of our musical and expressive world. 
Chapman University BM Music Composition '16
University of Oregon MM Music Composition '19
UC Santa Cruz DMA Music Composition '27

Dreaming Phoenix (2022) featuring Del Sol String Quartet

Michael J. Fleming