nordic affect

We’ve uploaded some fab music on our soundcloud site. So if you’re in the mood for some Abel, Hugi Gudmundsson or a song from an 18th Century manuscript go ahead and click here! 

We’ve received a great review for our Abel recording from Classical Music:

 “their commitment to their repertoire is evident in every phrase. Browne has a sophisticated palette of colours at her disposal, from ethereally limpid to icily edgy, and the single strings draw a gestural and tonal range from their instruments that puts far better-known string bands to shame…these players urge you to delve into their take on Abel. Warmly recommended.”

Yes and Abel is available in shops and online

Sleeping Pendulum by María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir has been nominated on Iceland’s behalf as an entry at the International Rostrum of Composers (IRC). The work was comissioned by Nordic Affect’s violinist and artistic director Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir and is written for solo violin and a pre-recorded electronic part. Rostrum is being held in these days in Stockholm, so there is a lot of fantastic creativity aka contemporary music streaming out of the speakers in Stockholm right now, in a space full of contemporary music producers from 27 national radio networks from four continents!!!  The Icelandic delegate is bringing together with Sleeping Pendulum the work Lux II by our dear friend Hugi Guðmundsson, written for electronics and flute. Congratulations on the nomination María Huld and Hugi and to Stockholm we send happy listening vibes!

AND THIS JUST CAME IN: Sleeping Pendulum was chosen as one of Rostrum’s top recommendations this year. After a celebratory shout and jump of joy we’d like to congratulate María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir on the outstanding piece and the great results, you go girl!

Nordic Affect received the other day a generous grant from Musica Nova to comission a new work from Anna Thorvaldsdottir. The comission is a dream come true as Anna’s work has fascinated us for quite some time! The work will include electronics and will be premiered at the beginning of 2013. The work will be included in our upcoming recording of works by Icelandic female composers.

We’ve received a very positive review for our Abel CD on the Dutch music website: Klassieke Zaken. Or to quote a little:  ‎”….A round orchestral sound with a solid foundation provides this performance with a lovely deep tone, while moving solos and tasteful ornamentation make the celebration complete….”.

Well we aren’t… at least not of Dark Music Days. Rehearsals are underways for our appearance at the festival on Friday. We’d of course love it if you joined us at the brand new concert house Harpa in Iceland. Concert starts at 17.00 and on the program are works by Gunnar Andreas Kristinsson, María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, Hafdís Bjarnadóttir and Hugi Guðmundsson. Their works seek inspiration in everything ranging from ringtones to music by Handel dissolved in water together with the weather forecast. See you in the dark!

Nordic Affect was yesterday the lucky recipient of a grant from the Icelandic women’s cultural foundation Hlaðvarpinn. The purpose: to order a new composition from Þuríður Jónsdóttir and record an album with works by Icelandic female composers, namely Þuríður, Hafdís Bjarnadóttir and María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir!

Abel had its first airplay in the UK yesterday on BBC Radio 3′s breakfast with Sara Mohr-Pietsch!

We received today the first review on our Abel CD on the Icelandic cultural program Víðsjá. You can listen to the whole review by following this link here. We’ve also already translated a few sentences from it… and so to quote music critic Helgi Jónsson:

“In short; this is a great CD!”

“…Georgia Browne is a great flutist, she has an incredibly beautiful sound…”

“…delightful music which is exceptionally well performed!”