Bára  Gísladóttir
Photo: Gabrielle Motola

Bára Gísladóttir

(1989-)

The works of Bára Gísladóttir are characterised by a deep and self-reflective calm, at times producing an almost meditative state in the music. In her pieces, time is as likely to move in circles as it is moving forwards towards a distinct goal.

Whether writing for acoustic instruments or electronics, Gísladóttir is especially concerned with the rich details of sounds. Thus, overtones, liminal registers and multiphonics play an essential part in her works, creating an atmosphere of slowly progressing mystery.

A trained double bassist herself, Gísladóttir has performed many of her own works onstage. Thanks to its long strings the double bass produces a wide spectrum of overtones, making it a natural focus in several of Gísladóttir’s compositions.

Bára Gísladóttir studied at the Iceland University of the Arts, Conservatorio di musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Milano and the Royal Danish Academy of Music. Her teachers include Hróðmar I. Sigurbjörnsson, Þuríður Jónsdóttir, Gabriele Manca, Niels Rosing-Schow and Jeppe Just Christensen.
Her works have been performed by, among others, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble Adapter, Riot Ensemble at festivals such as HCMF, Transit, Dark Music Days, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, KLANG Festival, SPOR Festival, International Rostrum of Composers and Nordic Music Days.

Bára Gísladóttir received the Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Foundation Talent Award 2019, the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize 2018, the Grapevine Music Award 2017 and was nominated for Carl Nielsen Prize in 2020 and 2022 and The Nordic Council Music Prize 2022 for her work as a composer.

Available Works

All categories Solo 2-6 Instruments 7+ Instruments Choir Orchestra Music Drama and Stage Music Educational Music

  1. GROWL POWER

    2022 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Solo

    13:15 minutes

    Bass flute and live-electronics

  2. Ever Out After Dark (or blue lady in boring city)

    2022 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Solo

    12 minutes

    Alto flute and electronics

  3. Stars with Shadows (on vast void and whatnot)

    2022 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Solo

    8:10 minutes

    Piccolo solo

  4. Devotchka watch her garbles

    2017 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    12:40 minutes

    Bass flute, bass clarinet, harp, percussion, double bass and electronics

  5. Yung Leo

    2018 • Bára Gísladóttir

    7+ Instruments

    12 minutes

    Solo saxophone (tenor and alto), string quintet, three percussionists and electronics

  6. Suzuki Baleno

    2016 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    Soprano, flute, clarinet (Bb), violin and percussion

  7. Suzuki Baleno II

    2016 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    Soprano, flute, clarinet (Bb), violin, cello and percussion

  8. Respirare l'ombra

    2017 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    5 minutes

    Harp and five string double bass

  9. Nið(ur)

    2016 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    Soprano, flute, clarinet (Bb), violin, cello and piano

  10. HAF:köf(n)un

    2015 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Flute, tenor sax, guitar & tam-tam

  11. ORF (en líka axir og önnur pyntingatæki)

    2018 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Solo

    8:30 minutes

    Viola d'amore & electronics

  12. Otoconia

    2017 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    6:40 minutes

    Slightly amplified string quartet and electronics

  13. Flashes from the various east

    2017 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    5:20 minutes

    Baritone, bass clarinet, trumpet and trombone

  14. Átta lög við ljóð eftir Kött Grá Pje

    2018 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    9:20 minutes

    Mezzo-soprano, baritone and string quartet

  15. Prussian Blue

    2017 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Violin and piano

  16. GLÓÐ|STELPA

    2022 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Solo

    7:52 minutes

    for flute solo

  17. Animals of your Pasture

    2021 • Bára Gísladóttir

    7+ Instruments

    20 minutes

    B.fl, ob, b.cl, t.sax, perc, el.guit, hpd, db & electronics

  18. Hringla

    2022 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Orchestra

    16:40 minutes

    3(bfl).3(ca).3(bcl).3(cb)/4.3.3(btbn).1/3perc/elec/14.12.10.8.6 + amplified solo db and electronics

  19. NĀT

    2020 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Choir

    6 minutes

    Choir (SATB) and double bass

  20. COR

    2021 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Orchestra

    15:35 minutes

    2(bfl).3(ca).3(2bcl)3(cbsn)/4.3.2+btrbn.1/4perc/0.0.0.0.7

  21. Rage against reply guy

    2021 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    9:06 minutes

    Bass clarinet, electric guitar, violin, violoncello, live-electronics

  22. exaudi

    2020 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Music Drama and Stage Music

    35 minutes

    S & T solo + fl, cl (or bcl), vln, vlc, perc & pno

  23. the worlds within our petty voids

    2019 • Bára Gísladóttir

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    Flute, oboe, violin, viola & cello

  24. Music to accompany your sweet splatter dreams

    2019 • Bára Gísladóttir

    7+ Instruments

    5:30 minutes

    1(picc).1.1.1/1.1.1.0/perc/pno/1.1.1.1.1

  25. VÍDDIR

    2020 • Bára Gísladóttir

    7+ Instruments

    60 minutes

    Nine flutes, percussion trio, bass guitar & double bass

  26. Fluttering Wings

    2018 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Educational Music

    Cello solo

  27. Balders drøm

    2018 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Educational Music

    Accordeon solo

  28. VAPE

    2016 • Bára Gísladóttir

    Orchestra

    12 minutes

    3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timp/3perc/arp/16.14.12.10.8




Advanced works search

News

  1. World Premiere of Bára Gísladóttir's COR

    general

    World Premiere of Bára Gísladóttir's COR

  2. Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

    nominations / awards

    Nominees for the Carl Prize 2023

  3. VÍDDIR nominated for Icelandic Music Awards

    nominations / awards

    VÍDDIR nominated for Icelandic Music Awards

  1. Great reviews for Bára Gísladóttir's SILVA

    reviews

    Great reviews for Bára Gísladóttir's SILVA

  2. Bára Gísladóttir shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

    nominations / awards

    Bára Gísladóttir shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

  3. Bára Gísladóttir Album Release

    releases

    Bára Gísladóttir Album Release

  4. Countdown to the Nordic Council Music Prize

    nominations / awards

    Countdown to the Nordic Council Music Prize

  5. Nordic Music Days 2022

    general

    Nordic Music Days 2022

  6. Bára Gísladóttir featured in The Strad

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir featured in The Strad

  7. Bára Gísladóttir's VÍDDIR in Mexico and the US

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir's VÍDDIR in Mexico and the US

  8. Edition·S at KLANG Festival

    general

    Edition·S at KLANG Festival

  9. Gísladóttir and Tjørnhøj nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize

    nominations / awards

    Gísladóttir and Tjørnhøj nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize

  10. Gísladóttir & Stauning nominated for Carl Prisen 2022

    nominations / awards

    Gísladóttir & Stauning nominated for Carl Prisen 2022

  11. Edition·S at SPOR festival

    general

    Edition·S at SPOR festival

  12. Dark Music Days postponed

    general

    Dark Music Days postponed

  13. Upcoming performances 2022

    general

    Upcoming performances 2022

  14. Gísladóttir receives Gladsaxe Music Prize

    nominations / awards

    Gísladóttir receives Gladsaxe Music Prize

  15. Bára Gísladóttir World Premiere

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir World Premiere

  16. Great review for Gísladóttir

    reviews

    Great review for Gísladóttir

  17. Bára Gísladóttir World Premiere

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir World Premiere

  18. Musikalske aftryk · Video teaser

    releases

    Musikalske aftryk · Video teaser

  19. KLANG festival 2021

    general

    KLANG festival 2021

  20. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    nominations / awards

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  21. Nomination · Bára Gísladóttir

    nominations / awards

    Nomination · Bára Gísladóttir

  22. Music video · Bára Gísladóttir

    releases

    Music video · Bára Gísladóttir

  23. Score Follower · Bára Gísladóttir

    releases

    Score Follower · Bára Gísladóttir

  24. Digital Concert Series

    general

    Digital Concert Series

  25. Postponed World Premiere · Bára Gísladóttir · NĀT

    general

    Postponed World Premiere · Bára Gísladóttir · NĀT

  26. Interview · Bára Gísladóttir

    general

    Interview · Bára Gísladóttir

  27. Upcoming album · Bára Gísladóttir: HĪBER

    general

    Upcoming album · Bára Gísladóttir: HĪBER

  28. Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

    general

    Composers and Edition·S works on Danmark Nu

  29. Composers nominated for Carl Prisen 2020

    general

    Composers nominated for Carl Prisen 2020

  30. Celebrating female composers

    general

    Celebrating female composers

  31. Reviews · Bára Gísladóttir Debut Concert

    reviews

    Reviews · Bára Gísladóttir Debut Concert

  32. Bára Gísladóttir · Debut Concert

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir · Debut Concert

  33. Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

    general

    Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland

  34. Bára Gísladóttir · SEGÏA

    general

    Bára Gísladóttir · SEGÏA

  35. Rønsholdt, Løffler, and Gísladóttir on Warsaw Autumn Festival

    general

    Rønsholdt, Løffler, and Gísladóttir on Warsaw Autumn Festival

  36. Gísladóttir and Black at Young Nordic Music

    general

    Gísladóttir and Black at Young Nordic Music

  37. Gísladóttir og Black på programmet til Ung Nordisk Musik 2019

    general

    Gísladóttir og Black på programmet til Ung Nordisk Musik 2019

  38. Talent award for Bára Gísladóttir and James Black

    general

    Talent award for Bára Gísladóttir and James Black

  39. Reviews: KLANG 10th Anniversary

    general

    Reviews: KLANG 10th Anniversary

  40. Two world premieres at KLANG reviewed

    general

    Two world premieres at KLANG reviewed

  41. Bára Gísladottír published by Edition·S

    general

    Bára Gísladottír published by Edition·S

  42. Celebrating female composers

    general

    Celebrating female composers

  43. BBC broadcasts Gísladóttir and Steen-Andersen

    general

    BBC broadcasts Gísladóttir and Steen-Andersen

  44. Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

    general

    Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

  45. Edition·S composers at Darmstadt

    general

    Edition·S composers at Darmstadt

  46. 5-star review of Pulsar opening concert

    general

    5-star review of Pulsar opening concert

  47. PULSAR: Interviews with three composition students

    general

    PULSAR: Interviews with three composition students

Show More News

Calendar

  1. September 2021
  2. 3

    September

    Bára Gísladóttir · Rage against reply guy · World premiere

    time21:00

    location Mayhem, Copenhagen, Denmark

    performed by Distractfold & reConvert

  1. October 2021
  2. 22

    October

    Bára Gísladóttir: Animals of your pasture

    time20:30

    location Transit Festival, Leuven, Belgium

    performed by Riot Ensemble

  1. November 2021
  2. 20

    November

    Bára Gísladóttir: Animals of your pasture

    time19:00

    location Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, United Kingdom

    performed by The Riot Ensemble