Portrait CD, containing five multimovement compositions (18 tracks) by Icelandic composer Ulfar Ingi Haraldsson. The works were composed 1993-2000 with some revisions made to three of the pieces 2001-2010. The compositions give a good insight into the composer's modernist style with the pieces linked through a common approach and search for a method to work with a revived concept of harmony and a harmonically multi-layered texture in contemporary modern music. Accompanying booklet, 16 pages, with samples from scores and work sketches.
released February 14, 2015
The Formalist Quartet is an ensemble dedicated to the performance of adventurous repertoire focusing on contemporary pieces and world
premieres as well as exploring a diverse spectrum of early music and the standard repertoire. The quartet was born on the 100th birthday of Dmitri Shostakovich (September 25th, 2006) and since then has been playing frequently across the United States in concert halls, festivals, art galleries, cafes, and homes.
Mark Menzies 1st violin
Andrew Tholl 2nd violin
Andrew McIntosh viola
Ashley Walters violoncello
www.formalistquartet.com
The new music ensemble CAPUT was founded in 1987 by young Icelandic musicians. It started as a small chamber group but grew rapidly to a sinfonietta with up to 18 players. The size of CAPUT has always been flexible. Each member can stand out as a soloist and the ensemble plays duos, trios, quartets, octets etc. CAPUT has established itself as a force in Icelandic cultural life and as one of the leading new music ensembles in the Nordic countries. The group is widely acclaimed for its powerful interpretation and technical proficiency.
www.caput.is
Worlds of a Third Sign
Guðni Franzson clarinet, Pétur Jónasson guitar, Sigurður Halldórsson cello.
Polarity One
Kolbeinn Bjarnason flute, Eydís Franzdóttir oboe, Guðni Franzson clarinet, Emil Friðfinnsson french horn, Brjánn Ingason bassoon.
Dual Closure
Guðni Franzson solo clarinet
Guðmundur Óli Gunnarsson conductor
Kolbeinn Bjarnason flute, Eydís Franzdóttir oboe, Brjánn Ingason bassoon, Emil Friðfinnsson french horn, Steef van Oosterhout percussion, Pétur Grétarsson percussion, Zbigniew Dubik violin, Hildigunnur Halldórsdóttir violin, Guðmundur Kristmundsson viola, Sigurður Halldórsson violoncello, Valur Pálsson contrabass.
Recording information
Dual Closure – Live at Reykjavik Arts Festival concert
in Salurinn May 31, 2000
Worlds of a Third Sign – Garðakirkja September 20, 2004
Sveinn Kjartansson, recording engineer
Polar II – Studio Syrland June 3, 2010
Ívar Baldvin Júlíusson, recording engineer
Polarity One – Studio Syrland February 22, 2010
Sveinn Kjartansson, recording engineer
Disappearance of the Moon – April 24, 1994 live in Erickson Hall,
Mandeville Center, UC San Diego, California. Recording by UIH
All post production editing, mixing and mastering done by UIH
Disc design, photos and layout: PunktProjectStudio
CD printing by mbv.is • Booklet printing by prentlausnir.is
Many, many thanks to all the wonderful musicians and sound technicians that contributed their artistry to the music on this cd and very special thanks also to my loving wonderful wife, Sigríður Mjöll Björnsdóttir, for her support and patience during the period it took to edit, master, design and release it. I know it took too long but better late then never. Perhaps things are…"not worth saying unless it takes a very long time to say them."