Stefan Keller: Entangled Strands

Entangled Strands is a composition for tabla and ensemble that features the tabla as a solo instrument. It is written for and dedicated to Aneesh Pradhan, who has been my tabla teacher for over a decade. While my writing for the tabla is based on the instrument‘s language found in Hindustani music, it expands this language by incorporating external musical ideas and thoughts, thus exploring new forms of expression for the instrument.

 

The result is a composition that is clearly distinct from traditional tabla compositions–yet the various influences are so entwined that it seems impossible to draw a clear line between what is »Indian« and what is »Western.« The writing for the Zafraan ensemble and the interaction of the different instruments with the soloist, though firmly rooted in the European traditions of polyphony and orchestration, are also deeply influenced by the musical structures found in Hindustani mu- sic, since the rhythmic intricacies of the tabla necessitate a clearly audible metrical framework for full appreciation. The mutual entanglement even extends to a few passages where, within a certain framework, the soloist improvises along- side individual musicians from the ensemble.

(Stefan Keller)