Orpheus Down by Ian Wilson

Orpheus Down
By Ian Wilson

Digital Album with pdf booklet featuring liner notes by Ian Wilson
Streaming + Download

"a composer of imaginative resource and a sure formal sense… has the gift of making even the barest ideas interesting"
Gramophone Magazine

Composer Ian Wilson has long been fascinated by the story of Orpheus’ journey to the Underworld to bring his lover Eurydice back from the dead. When bass clarinettist Gareth Davis and double-bassist Dario Calderone suggested to Wilson that he compose a large-scale duo for their low instruments he immediately thought of using the myth, with its accompanying themes of deep and dark, as inspiration.

The resulting work Orpheus Down (2021) consists of ten movements, each relating to a specific part of Orpheus’ journey. First the opening sequence Mourning Song (Orpheus, bereft, sings snatches of a melody while the rain gently falls) – The Crossing (Charon’s oar creaking while he ferries his nervous passenger, occasionally humming to himself) – Descent (our protagonist’s fearful journey down to Hades is echoed in the double bass’s long glissando); then the succeeding group Sentinels (Orpheus must placate the fearsome, many-headed Cerberus) – At the Gates (shock and awe at the entrance to Hades) – Passing Ghosts (he encounters some of Hades’ inhabitants). Next is Entreaty (Orpheus must persuade the ruler of the Underworld through his playing to release Eurydice) followed by Towards the Light (the slow journey upwards, one behind the other); and finally The Losing Again (Orpheus replays in his mind over and over, unbelieving, his folly in looking behind) and To Sing Forever (the Maenads tear him to pieces but his head continues to sing as it floats off to Lesbos.).

Orpheus Down makes much use of extended playing techniques, controlled improvisation, and the vast experience of the two marvellous performers. The music seeks the emotional heart of each scene but at the same time embraces painting pictures and evoking atmospheres – indeed, could almost be seen as a series of studies in colour and sonority. Through the aggregation of dark hues, emotional gestures and narrative signposts a journey results, echoing that of Orpheus in some elemental way.

The CD features detailed liner notes by Ian Wilson alongside images by photographer Doreen Kennedy. The project was supported by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealíon.

Orpheus Down is available in CD and digital formats. The CD version comes as a limited edition 4 panel fold-out book sized cover including extensive liner notes by Ian Wilson. Images by visual artist and photographer Doreen Kennedy feature throughout. The CD is published as a first edition of 300 copies and is available from:
www.farpointrecordings.com

Ian Wilson (Belfast, 1964) has composed over 200 works in many different genres which have been performed and broadcast on six continents. He is a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s national association of creative artists, and his music is published by G. Ricordi & Co. Ltd and Universal Edition.

ianwilson.ie