The title of the piece is derived from Godard's movie, not because the piece has anything to do with that movie, but because I think it is a good title. Also, the image of the main character intrigued me: he is a heavy smoker and only at the very end, when he dies in a harness, a cigarette drops out of his mouth. Hence 'À bout de souffle' .

The composition is a large, vehement movement from the beginning to end. With a very full instrumentation, a monolithic view, few solo passages, but large tutti movements. - WILLEM JETHS