AION
AION is inspired by an abstract notion of time and the journey between dimensions. In AION Anna Thorvaldsdottir composer and Erna Ómarsdóttir choreographer invite the audience on an otherworldly voyage where music and movement merge in a unique way.
AION is a new large scale work - a choreographed symphonic stage work - with music by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and choreography by Erna Ómarsdóttir with the Iceland Dance Company. AION was premiered on May 24th by the Gothenburg Symphony and the Iceland Dance Company in Gothenburg at the Point Festival. The work is co-commissioned by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
METACOSMOS
The Iceland Symphony has posted a full recording of METACOSMOS, for orchestra, from the performance on January 31st 2019, conducted by Daníel Bjarnason.
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The Berlin Philharmonic gave the European premiere of the work the week before, conducted by Alan Gilbert, and below is an excerpt from that performance. The full performance is available in the Digital Concert Hall of the Berliner Philharmoniker here.
AEQUA
I am really excited about the new portrait album with a selection of my chamber pieces performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble which will be released in November on Sono Luminus. The album presents a selection of recent chamber pieces for smaller forces - ranging from solo piano to string ensemble - which orbit the large ensemble work aequilibria. Two of the pieces are conducted by Steven Schick and the piano solo is performed by Cory Smythe.
Composer-in-Residence Iceland Symphony Orchestra
I am very happy to share that I have been appointed Composer in Residence with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra - I am very much looking forward to be working together on many exciting projects in the coming years
Anna signs with Chester Music - Music Sales Classical
It is very exciting to be signing with Chester Music and The Music Sales Classical for distribution of my works. It has been wonderful to get to know the people at Chester Music and the Music Sales Group, and having had good time to do so has been an invaluable part of establishing this relationship - I can't think of a better home for my music.
Ad Genua
A wonderful recording from the performance of Ad Genua at Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart festival in August 2016 - performed by The Crossing & International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE).
Text by Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir.
Sequences
Wonderful to share this great recording from the premiere of Sequences performed by The International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) at the New York Public Library in September 2016 ❀
Bass Flute: Alice Tessier
Bass Clarinet: Campbell MacDonald
Contrabassoon: Rebekah Heller
Baritone Saxophone: Ryan Muncy
Recorded by ICE and the New York Public Library
Seven Responses
It is wonderful to be in Philadelphia for the Seven Responses Project - a beautiful passion project of conductor Donald Nally that has been in the planning for a long time. The project is about to take place this coming weekend, on June 24th and 25th. There will be 7 premieres by composers Caroline Shaw, David T. Little, Hans Thomalla. Lewis Spratlan, Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Santa Ratniece & myself, along with a performance of Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri. The works will be performed by the Crossing Choir, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) and Quicksilver Baroque under the direction of Donald Nally.
It has been a great pleasure taking part in this project - it was truly heartwarming to work with the text by Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir who wrote beautiful lyrics for me to put music to, and to have the piece as part of this larger project is really something special.
With warmth
Anna
For more information about the project see here
The Seven Responses program
Who is Seven Responses?
UR_ at the Reykjavik Arts Festival
The Iceland premiere of the chamber opera UR_ will take place at the Reykjavik Arts Festival on June 4th where we will have an intimate setting for the work in Norðurljós concert hall at Harpa Concert and Conference Center.
Baldur Brönnimann and I had a talk before the premiere of UR_ in Trier last September where he directed the performance.
UR_
Composer: Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Director: Thorleifur Orn Arnarsson
Stage design: Anna Run Tryggvadottir
Text: Anna Thorvaldsdottir & Mette Karlsvik
Producer: Arnbjorg Maria Danielsen - Far North
Mezzo Soprano: Melis Jaatinen
Baritone: Joa Helgesson
Vocalist: Sofia Jernberg
Piano: Tinna Thorsteinsdottir
Actor: Mike Thomsen
Production assistant: Ornolfur Eldon Thorsson
Conductor: Bjarni Frimann Bjarnason
Ensemble: CAPUT