Eötvös wrote this piece in memory of the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy in 2003. The number 7 determines the musical, rhythmic and formal structure of the work: 49 musicians are divided into seven groups, and as well as the solo violin there are six further violins arranged correspondingly around the hall, and the solo violin itself portrays each of the astronauts and their different origin, from America via Israel to India, in folkloristically tinged cadenzas. 'The violin concerto Seven is a very personal monologue and the musical expression of my sympathy towards the seven astronauts who lost their lives while exploring space in fulfilment of a fundamental dream of mankind.' (Peter Eötvös)