Following on from Senza sangue, Peter Eötvös has once again taken his inspiration from the Italian author Alessandro Baricco, whose acclaimed 1997 novel Silk provides the plot for this seventeen-minute chamber music scene. We are transported back to the 19th century, where a young Frenchman travels to Japan to learn about the secrets of silk production. While visiting a rich man, he observes a young girl with her eyes closed. She suddenly opens her eyes, looks at the Frenchman and points silently to a tea cup in front of her. This is the beginning of a moving, sensitive and wonderful story – out of a single glance, a tender yet binding connection between the two young individuals emerges.

The spoken text is accompanied by flute, clarinet, violin, cello and percussion, creating a unique atmosphere.