Ian Wilson: Heaven Lay Close I - String Quartet and Tabla Composition

Product Information

• UPC/Item Number: RICL00022700
• ISMN: 9790570029044 / 979-0570029044
• Product Type: Musical Score and Performance Parts
• Genre: Contemporary Chamber Music
• Instrumentation: String Quartet and Tabla
• Composition Year: 2008
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3-4
• Length: 111 pages
• Publisher: Ricordi

Overview

"Heaven Lay Close I" is a groundbreaking work of contemporary chamber music by Ian Wilson, notable for its innovative fusion of Western classical and South Asian musical traditions. Scored for string quartet and traditional tabla percussion, the composition explores a rich and dynamic intersection of timbral worlds, creating a dialogue that is both culturally resonant and musically original. At its core, the piece challenges conventional ensemble boundaries by integrating the lyricism and harmonic nuance of the string quartet with the rhythmic complexity and expressive depth of the tabla. Rather than positioning the two traditions in contrast, Wilson allows them to interact organically, developing a nuanced musical conversation in which melody and rhythm are treated as equal partners.

The work unfolds through a series of evolving textures, where the fluid gestures of the strings intertwine with intricate tala cycles, showcasing the tabla not only as a rhythmic foundation but as a dialogic voice in the ensemble. The result is a sound world that is both meditative and dynamically charged, inviting listeners into a space of cross-cultural reflection and artistic synthesis. Ultimately, Heaven Lay Close I represents a bold artistic statement—a piece that redefines the possibilities of chamber music collaboration and affirms Ian Wilson’s position as a composer unafraid to transcend stylistic and cultural boundaries in the pursuit of new expressive horizons.

Product Features

• Format: Full Score and Complete Performance Parts
• Ensemble Configuration: String Quartet with Tabla
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3-4 (Intermediate to Advanced)
• Total Length: 111 pages
• Composition Style: Cross-cultural contemporary classical music

Interesting Facts

• Artistic Inspiration: Draws from the poetic quote: "I feel as if heaven lay close upon the earth, and I between them both, breathing through the eye of a needle"
• Musical Innovation: Blends Western string quartet techniques with traditional tabla rhythms
• Compositional Complexity: Demonstrates Wilson's sophisticated approach to cross-cultural musical composition
• Unique Instrumental Dialogue: Creates intricate interactions between string and percussion instruments

Publishers

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

We value your feedback! Share your experience with this product to help others make informed decisions. Your review is important to us!

Hashtags

#IanWilson #StringQuartet #Tabla #ContemporaryClassical #CrossCulturalMusic