Images From a Closed Ward – Michael Hersch and The Blair String Quartet

Pictured here is the first page of movement one. As described in the program notes by Aaron Grad, “Images from a Closed Ward uses thirteen separate movements to convey a disquieting reality from multiple vantage points.”

One page excerpted from Images From a Closed Ward : for string quartet (2010)
Michael Hersch (composer)
New York: 21C Music Publishing, 2010
Anne Potter Wilson Music Library Collection

The recording took place on October 2-4, 2012 in Ingram Hall at the Blair School of Music in Nashville. The album was produced by Judith Sherman. -Liner Notes

Images from a Closed Ward (CD cover)
Michael Hersch and The Blair String Quartet
St. Paul: Innova Recordings, 2014
Anne Potter Wilson Music Library Collection

Program notes for the premiere were written by Aaron Grad depicting the inspiration of the composition and describing the musical elements of the various movements.

Program from the world premiere of Images From a Closed Ward (2010)
Nashville: unknown, 2012
Courtesy of the Blair Performance Archive

The Blair String Quartet was founded in 1967. Over the years the group has been comprised of various string faculty members. This picture shows the current group.

The Blair String Quartet
Stephen Miahky and Cornelia Heard, violins; Eric Wong, viola; Felix Wang, cello
Courtesy of the Blair School of Music