The inspiration for this piece comes from a small flock of migratory birds flying in a symmetric V - shaped formation. It is an interesting phenomena, that they instinctively know who will lead and the birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members.

I've used this technique for the reed quintet. I visualise the players flying in V formation as one large bird, ever changing overall shape but always together, with subtle textural changes within the group.

Wind skein has 2 movements (so far) and can be played in either order without a break. In one movement, the saxophone assumes a solo role, with the other instruments supporting using multiphonics, as if they are the jet stream flowing from the saxophonist's melodies.

Dai Fujikura (edited by Elaine Mitchener)