Bukvich utilizes many "non-traditional" techniques to add effect to his work. The first movement sets the eerie mood of the impending catastrophe. This clip is from the beginning of the piece (Quicktime). This two-pitch motive is used throughout the piece. The bomb target is "seeded" with incendiaries in the second movement. Flutes represent the whistling of the bombs, and vocalizations of cries for help are heard in this clip (Quicktime).

The intensity of the bombing raid continues in this clip from the second movement.(Quicktime). The whistling bombs intensify, and the two-pitch theme returns with greater intensity.

An English horn solo (Quicktime) characterizes what the composer refers to as "a prayer for the victims of the attack" in the third movement. The final movement employs non-traditional notation as well as non-traditional performance techniques. These include, whistling, vocalization, humming, blowing air through instruments, and other effects. This last movement, "Fire Storm", recreates the sounds of the fire storm that is created by the mass of fire bombs. The destruction literally left the town in hollow, burned out ruins, the 1000+ degree temperatures created by the fire storm incinerating all in its path. The following clip is of the entire fourth movement. It ends with quiet "sobs" from a solo flute. (Quicktime) (MP3).

The destruction of Dresden.