Bliss (not) is an orchestral piece composed for and dedicated to the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa. Born from the challenge of creating a virtuosic work inspired by the idea of a Concerto for Orchestra, Bliss (not) is divided into two sections. The first is a reaction to the chaotic and fast-paced society in which we live, where glimpses of the worlds created by George Orwell, Aldous Huxley or Charlie Brooker (creator of the series Black Mirror) are beginning to become part of our daily lives. Rapid variations and transitions between different emotional states mark this initial section, at times conveying feelings of disconnection and escape from reality. The second section, slower and more nostalgic, presents a more personal and dreamlike view of our society. An idea of an unattainable utopia then emerges, a lost dream and a questioning of our way of life.

In a world where hatred and intolerance thrive, with humanitarian crises, the climate crisis and a digital revolution moving at an uncontrollable pace, is happiness still possible?