BEINTA by Allan Gravgaard Madsen and Anna Katrin Øssursdóttir Egilstrøð
Allan Gravgaard Madsen and Anna Katrin Øssursdóttir Egilstrøð wrote the symphonic song-cycle “BEINTA” together, as they developed a special musical language that explores and combines elements from contemporary classical music and alternative pop.
The Danish Arts Foundation motivates the award like this:
”Beinta is a poignant and dramatic symphonic song, free from genres and tradition. The orchestration has created a special perspective of depth with surprising details and the vocal is fully integrated. The listener is enclosed by the piece as a frame around the dramatic complexity of our inner landscapes. It is gloomy and compelling Nordic Noir.”
The title of the work is also the name of a legendary 18th-century femme fatale of the Faroe Islands. Beinta (also known as Barbara) was a figure of great contrasts, as untamed as the fierce nature around her. With her story as a source of inspiration, the two composers delved into a more general exploration of human darkness and longing.
Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and Egilstrøð herself premiered "BEINTA" 30 April at SPOT Festival 2016, and was very well received by the audience as well as the critics.
Find short excerpts and links to the reviews here.
Symphony by Rune Glerup
Rune Glerup wrote “Symphony” for The Danish National Symphony Orchestra. It is a 30 minutes long piece in 11 parts consisting of an introduction and a number of expositions and interludes.
The Danish Arts Foundation motivates Rune Glerup’s award like this:
“The piece with the traditional title “Symphony” is an unusually untraditional and exuberant piece by the 35-year old composer. The music is energetic and at the same time completely static in a very peculiar and almost anti-symphonic way. A lovely piece.”
We made a small interview with Glerup about the work, and regarding the weight of tradition when writing a symphony he says: “I have chosen some general features that you will find across many otherwise completely different symphonies, like introduction, exposition, intermezzo and repetition. I have worked with these features in my own way in order to avoid writing an old-school symphony, but instead offer my own personal take on a symphony anno 2016.”
“Symphony” was premiered in November 2016 by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and received great reviews. Find excerpts and links to the reviews here.