ULTRADOLENTE
2020
Arrangement of ‘Nú erum torvelt‘ for for 2 piccolos, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones and a tuba
60 minutes
Presented in Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur, as part of leyndarmál í brosinu / secrets in a smile
Videographed and recorded by Patrik Ontkovic
2020
Arrangement of ‘Nú erum torvelt‘ for for 2 piccolos, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones and a tuba
60 minutes
Presented in Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur, as part of leyndarmál í brosinu / secrets in a smile
Videographed and recorded by Patrik Ontkovic
The piece is an investigation into the representation of sorrow, particularly male mourning and its representation in society. ULTRADOLENTE’s clusters range in volume from ppp to mp, but brass instruments are strong and loud, their sound often used to symbolise heroes in classical music - the quieter they sound, the harder it is for the musicians produce. The same goes for piccolos, the quieter you play the harder it is to keep them in tune, creating an eerie layer through the piece.
During the performance, the ensemble (without a director) sits in a circle and collectively breath their way through the ever changing yet monotonous sound clusters.
Performed by Bergur Þórisson, Björg Brjánsdóttir, Guðmundur Andri Ólafsson, Ingi Garðar Erlendsson, Ingibjörg Azima Guðlaugsdóttir, Jakob van Oosterhout, Rakel Björt Helgadóttir, Sóley Björk Einarsdóttir and Steinunn Vala Pálsdóttir
Performed by Bergur Þórisson, Björg Brjánsdóttir, Guðmundur Andri Ólafsson, Ingi Garðar Erlendsson, Ingibjörg Azima Guðlaugsdóttir, Jakob van Oosterhout, Rakel Björt Helgadóttir, Sóley Björk Einarsdóttir and Steinunn Vala Pálsdóttir