Thursday, July 31, 2014

Skálholt 2014

Me and Tui just came back from Skálholt, South Iceland, a former episcopal see since the year 1056. Today it serves as a church and a museum where concerts often take place. What brought us there was the premiere of my latest piece, Ljóðaljóðin (Song of Songs) for soprano, baritone and mixed choir at the Sumartónleikar festival, an annual event that has lived for 40 years, where I had the honour of being the composer in residence. Performers were Tui Hirv – soprano, Hafsteinn Þórólfsson – baritone and Hljómeyki choir. Conducted by Marta Halldórsdóttir. Also on the program were some of my older pieces for choir and some instruments: Davíðssálmur 141 (Psalm 141) for organ and choir, Tímamót (Watershed) for female choir and I Pray to the Sunbeam from the Window for 12 voices and string trio.

Me and Tui stayed there for almost a week during the rehearsals and then the concert. Everything about this trip was just fantastic, the beauty of the place, the nice accommodations and last but not least wonderful people that gave everything into the performance. And what a performance it was, simply brilliant!

Here are some pictures from the trip.