The title Iwa Ni comes from a poem by 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō, which the flutist whispers in the last section of the piece. By itself, iwa ni means something like “into the rock”. Bashō wrote the poem at the mountain temple of Risshaku-ji, as part of his 1,500-mile journey around northern Japan.

Watch flutist Emily Wespiser perform Iwa Ni:

This piece includes some extended techniques: glissando, harmonics, two quartertones, and air sounds. They are introduced gradually and can be managed by players without a strong background in contemporary music.

Sheet music PDF and fixed media file available from Gumroad or Ko-fi. Hard copies of the solo version available from Flute World.