Rolf Hind: Thus Have I Heard - Contemporary Piano Composition

Product Information

• UPC/Item Number: RICL00021100
• ISMN: 9790570029440 / 979-0570029440
• Product Type: Musical Score
• Genre: Contemporary Classical Music
• Instrumentation: Piano with Assistant
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3
• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricordi

Overview

"Thus Have I Heard" is a highly original and exploratory contemporary piano composition by Rolf Hind, known for his adventurous and spiritually informed approach to music-making. This work exemplifies Hind’s ongoing interest in non-traditional performance practices, extended techniques, and cross-cultural philosophical ideas, offering a performance experience that is as visually striking as it is sonically inventive. Unusually, the piece is written not just for a solo pianist, but for a pianist and an assistant, introducing a collaborative physical and interpretive dimension rarely seen in contemporary keyboard works. The assistant is tasked with various extended actions—such as interacting directly with the piano strings, altering resonances, or triggering percussive effects—that complement and extend the pianist’s material. This results in a rich and unpredictable tapestry of sound, blurring the lines between performer, instrument, and environment.

The title, Thus Have I Heard, echoes the traditional opening of many Buddhist sutras, hinting at the work’s meditative, ritualistic quality and a structure that unfolds like a spiritual or philosophical reflection. Hind’s music often draws from Eastern thought and practice, and this piece is no exception—encouraging a performance that is as much about awareness, presence, and listening as it is about musical virtuosity. Through its inventive scoring and demand for close performer collaboration, Thus Have I Heard offers a profound rethinking of what a piano piece can be. It challenges traditional expectations of solo performance, emphasizing instead the embodied, interactive, and almost theatrical nature of live music. Ultimately, the work stands as a testament to Hind’s imaginative voice in contemporary music, one that seeks to expand the possibilities of sound, space, and performer connection.

Product Features

• Format: Full Musical Score
• Ensemble Configuration: Piano with Assistant
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3 (Intermediate)
• Composition Style: Contemporary experimental piano music
• Performance Complexity: Requires collaborative performance approach

Interesting Facts

• Compositional Approach: Challenges traditional piano performance conventions
• Performance Technique: Incorporates an assistant into the musical performance
• Artistic Significance: Represents contemporary exploration of musical interaction
• Composer Background: Rolf Hind is known for his innovative approach to contemporary classical music

Publishers

Published by Ricordi, a prestigious international music publishing house known for supporting contemporary classical music.

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