Wilson, Ian: Aus der Zauberküche - String Quartet No. 16

Product Information

• UPC/Item Number: RICL00024200
• ISMN: 9790570028948 / 979-0570028948
• Product Type: Musical Score and Performance Parts
• Genre: Contemporary Chamber Music
• Instrumentation: String Quartet
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3
• Publisher: Ricordi

Overview

Ian Wilson’s Aus der Zauberküche (From the Magic Kitchen) is a compelling and adventurous work for string quartet that exemplifies the composer’s mastery of contemporary chamber music. As Wilson’s sixteenth quartet, the piece reflects a mature and imaginative voice, blending technical virtuosity with a vivid sense of narrative and play. The title — From the Magic Kitchen — suggests a realm of alchemy, transformation, and creative experimentation, and the music delivers precisely that. Throughout the composition, Wilson conjures a rich palette of timbral effects and extended techniques, crafting a sound world that is both unpredictable and enchanting. The quartet becomes a kind of laboratory where musical ideas are mixed, deconstructed, and reassembled in unexpected ways.

Structured as a continuous exploration rather than in traditional movements, the work thrives on spontaneity and contrast. Moments of fragile delicacy are interrupted by sudden bursts of energy, while lyrical lines dissolve into fragmented textures. The four instruments engage in a lively and often theatrical dialogue, requiring performers to shift rapidly between roles — now soloist, now accompanist, now percussive colorist — in a display of ensemble agility. Despite its complexity, Aus der Zauberküche never loses its sense of coherence or emotional depth. Wilson’s writing is deeply expressive, evoking wonder, curiosity, and at times even humor, all filtered through his refined structural sensibility. The quartet ultimately becomes a space of magical transformation — a “kitchen” where sound is both the ingredient and the spell. This work stands as a testament to Wilson’s innovative spirit and his continuing reimagination of the string quartet medium. Demanding yet deeply rewarding, Aus der Zauberküche invites both performers and audiences into a world where music becomes a kind of sorcery — intricate, surprising, and profoundly alive.

Product Features

• Format: Full Score and Performance Parts
• Ensemble Configuration: String Quartet (Two Violins, Viola, Cello)
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3 (Intermediate to Advanced)
• Suitable For: Professional chamber ensembles, music conservatories, advanced string performers

Interesting Facts

• Compositional Complexity: Represents Wilson's ongoing exploration of string quartet composition
• Musical Language: Demonstrates contemporary approaches to instrumental interaction
• Performance Challenge: Requires nuanced interpretation and advanced technical skills
• Artistic Exploration: Continues Wilson's innovative approach to chamber music

Publishers

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

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