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

Product Information

• UPC/Item Number: RICL00022600
• ISMN: 9790570029037 / 979-0570029037
• Product Type: Musical Score and Performance Parts
• Genre: Contemporary Cross-Cultural Chamber Music
• Instrumentation: Saxophone Quartet and Tabla
• Composition Year: 2008/2009
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3-4
• Length: 113 pages
• Publisher: Ricordi

Overview

"Heaven Lay Close I" is a groundbreaking and deeply evocative contemporary composition by Ian Wilson, written for the unusual yet compelling combination of saxophone quartet and traditional tabla percussion. This bold and imaginative work serves as a sonic bridge between Western and South Asian musical traditions, forging a unique dialogue that transcends stylistic and cultural boundaries. Inspired by the poetic and spiritually charged quote, "I feel as if heaven lay close upon the earth, and I between them both, breathing through the eye of a needle," the composition is imbued with a sense of introspection, fragility, and transcendence. The quote reflects the delicate emotional and metaphysical space that the music seeks to inhabit—a liminal realm between contrasting worlds, where breath, pulse, and resonance converge.

Wilson masterfully uses the rich harmonic palette and expressive agility of the saxophone quartet alongside the rhythmic intricacy and timbral color of the tabla, crafting an immersive musical experience that is at once grounded and ethereal. The tabla does not merely accompany; it engages in sophisticated rhythmic counterpoint with the saxophones, contributing equally to the work’s narrative and emotional arc. Through its intricate interweaving of melodic motifs, shifting rhythmic patterns, and atmospheric textures, Heaven Lay Close I offers a thought-provoking exploration of cultural synthesis. It invites listeners to experience the fusion of timbres, traditions, and spiritual ideas, presenting a musical landscape that feels both ancient and modern. Ultimately, the piece stands as a testament to Wilson’s innovative compositional voice and his commitment to reimagining the possibilities of chamber music in a globalized context. Heaven Lay Close I not only expands the expressive potential of the saxophone quartet but also redefines how cross-cultural musical dialogues can unfold within the framework of contemporary classical music.

Product Features

• Format: Full Score and Complete Performance Parts
• Ensemble Configuration: Saxophone Quartet with Tabla
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3-4 (Intermediate to Advanced)
• Total Length: 113 pages
• Composition Style: Cross-cultural contemporary classical music

Interesting Facts

• Premiere Performance: Performed by Niti Ranjan Biswas and the Amstel Quartet
• Musical Innovation: Blends saxophone 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 saxophone and percussion instruments

Publishers

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

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