Jökulsárlón (Glacial Lagoon) (2012-13)

electronic track, 10'

harp, percussion, and electronic track, 10'. 

Inspired by the sounds and topography of the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón on the southern coast of Iceland, where icebergs calve off of the nearby glacier into a calm lagoon, and float quietly out to sea. Birds often perch atop the icebergs, and every once and a while a fragment of ice breaks off with a great splash and sends the birds flying. But more often than not, it is a quiet, gentle place, where the overall atmosphere is quite static; this piece reflects that atmosphere.

All the sounds in Jökulsárlón were recorded on a concert harp in Iceland’s national concert hall Harpa; there are no samples or sounds of synthetic origin. The music from the harp was then manipulated and organized into the work you hear.

This piece was also arranged for live musicians: Duo Harpverk (harp and percussion) with electronics, and is featured on the album Earth Sea Sky.

Special thanks to Katie Buckley, harpist for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.