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Offspring (1990/2003) 12 minutes.
First performance: Copenhagen 1991, The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leif Segerstam.
Instrumentation: 3(II & III also picc).2.3(III also b.cl).2-4.2.3.1-perc(3)-pft-hrp-strings.
Offspring for orchestra scrutinizes the dynamic interpenetration of two simultaineous chord progressions which are derived from identical pitch material and which, on merging and diverging, create a large scale pattern of harmonic tension and release. The orchestra is treated in three ways: Tutti, combinations of various duos and finally brass with unpitched percussion. Each "instrument" dominates one of the three sections of the piece. Offspring was revised in 2003.
Score (pdf) (beginning)
Strati (1993) 10 minutes.
First performance: Reykjavík 1993, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Páll P. Pálsson.
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3-4.3.3.1-perc(3)-2pft-strings.
Strati evolves from an initially tight sound web into very simple ideas where the material appears stark naked. In the first of three movements a clear melody is distilled from a thick web. The second movement exploits rhytmical ideas based on the numbers 3,4 and 5, the orchestra being divided into traditional groups of wind, brass etc. In the third movement ideas from earlier on are taken up and developed into their most transparent form. Strati was a commission from the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and was awarded the Icelandic State Radio Music Award in 1994.
Annual Ring (1993) 18 minutes.
First performance: Akureyri 1994, North Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, Gudmundur Óli Gunnarsson.
Instrumentation: 2.2.2.1.-0.2.2.0-perc(1)-pft-strings.
Annual Ring was a commission from The North Iceland Symphony orchestra in Akureyri. The work was rearranged for chamber ensemble in 1994. It is a cyclical work which utilizes the same chordal progression in ever changing light. Its four movements can be viewed as mirroring the seasons; almost dance-like summer, autumn with decending lines, tremoring winter and spring which gradually brightens up. Movements II and III are connected by a cello-solo.
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Magma (1998) 16 minutes.
First performance: Warsaw 1998, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Swensen.
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.1(c.bsn)-4.3.3.1perc(3)-pft-strings.
Magma (Storka) was composed during the first months of 1998 as a commission from the Warsaw Autumn and revised in 1999. Storka is in one movement, divided into five sections which could be characterized as floating, animated, cantabile, coagulating and rigorous. Each section is then again divided into five parts with the same characteristics as the large sections.
Doors to Dreams (2000/2004)
15 minutes.
First performance: Reykjavik 2002, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Bernhard Wilkinson .
Instrumentation: 3(III also picc).3.3.3(III also c.bsn)-4.3.3.1-perc(3)-pft-hrp-strings.
Doors to Dreams is inspired by a poem by Óskar Árni Óskarsson. It has five movements, a bit ritualistic, based on repeated ideas with fixed pitch material. The movements are titled: Echoes, Voices, Wings, Illumination and Doors to Dreams. Óskarsson´s poem pairs incompatible things and actions.
Score (pdf) (3rd movement)
Listen 1st movement
2nd movement
3rd movement
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Ardente (2004) 10 minutes.
First performance: Copenhagen 2004, Orkester Norden, Mark Wigglesworth.
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3.-4.3.3.1-perc4-timp-strings.
Ardente has three sections. The first one is characterized by high melodic lines with the woodwinds playing a dominant role. These are answered by sustained chords or small rhythmic activity. The middle section is smooth and floating, without a build-up or great contrasts. The brass instrument lead the rhythmically charged final section and the music ends in a vortex of big chords that fade out quickly. Ardente was commissioned by Orkester Norden with support from NOMUS.
Listen (mp3) / Score (beginning)
Songs of Gudrun (1996/2005) Three songs and two interludes from Gudruns 4th Song for soprano and orchestra. 20 minutes.
Instrumentation: Soprano, 2.2.2.2-0.2.2.0-perc(2)-hrp-strings. This orchestral version of Songs of Gudrun was made in 2005 and consists of: Prologue, Sigurd's Journey, Gudrun's Grief, The Trap and Exodus.
Dialogo (2008) 16 minutes.
First performance: Stavanger 2008, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, André de Ridder.
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3.-4.3.3.1-perc2-pft-hrp-timp-strings.
In Seventh Heaven (2011) 7 minutes.
First performance: Reykjavík 2011, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Petri Sakari.
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3.-4.3.3.1-perc3-pft-hrp-timp-strings.
In Seventh Heaven received 1st prize in the competition for a new work for the opening ceremony of the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík 2011.
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