With her uncompromising sonic universe, Gísladóttir has established herself as one of the most distinctive Nordic composers of her generation, attracting considerable international attention.
Her music is rooted in the idea of sound as a living organism and moves within the space between composition and improvisation, noise and beauty – an airy realm between different states, where darkness and light merge. The double bass is at the heart of Gísladóttir’s musical aesthetic, where a single fundamental tone can unfold into dizzying, vibrant worlds of overtones, resonances and vibrations. Her works often explore the boundaries of sound with a particular intensity and sense of humour.
The concert programme has been curated by the composer herself, who will also perform on double bass in several of the works. The audience will experience a selection of Gísladóttir’s chamber music and works featuring live electronics, composed over the past ten years. The music will be performed by a number of leading Nordic musicians. In addition to Bára Gísladóttir, the performers are Francesco Bigoni (clarinet), Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir (soprano), Kristín Ýr Jónsdóttir (flute), Guðrún Óskarsdóttir (harpsichord), Sofie Thorsbro Dan (violin), and Hallgrímur Jónas Jensson (cello).
Bára Gísladóttir’s music is performed today by leading ensembles and orchestras around the world. This concert offers a unique opportunity to experience her distinctive sonic universe up close – a musical space where sound, body and resonance merge.
After the concert, wine will be served on the terrace, followed by a conversation between the composer and Thomas Michelsen, music journalist at Politiken. The conversation will offer the audience an insight into the works and the artistic processes behind them.
Contemporary music at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art has invited Dacapo Records and Edition·S to curate a series of concerts focusing on the currents of contemporary music. At Louisiana, audiences will be introduced to remarkable new works by some of Denmark’s finest composers, performed by musicians who specialize in contemporary music, embracing everything it may involve: extended techniques, electronics, video, performative elements, and more.
The concert with Bára Gísladóttir is made possible with support from
Augustinus Fonden
Axel Muusfeldts Fond
Hoffmann og Husmans Fond
Koda Kultur
Programme
- nið(ur) (2016) for soprano, flute, B♭ clarinet, violin, cello and harpsichord, 6'
- ARACHNE (2020) for solo harpsichord and live electronics, 10'20"
- VERITAS (2024) for double bass and live electronics, 13'18"
- again the autumn (2025) for cello, double bass and live electronics, 9'20"
- nið(ur) (2016) for soprano, flute, B♭ clarinet and violin, 6'
Time and place
Saturday 19 September & Sunday 20 September 14:00
The Boathouse, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, DK
Info and tickets here.