Four compositions for halldorophone 2011

Concert, 2011

Hafdís Bjarnadóttir´s work for halldorophone and accordion

The exhibition Sound Fields was hosted at The National Gallery of Iceland in spring 2011. As my contribution to the show I invited four composers to make a short piece for halldorophone and a second instrument:
Jesper Pedersen – Hób-Ró. Composition for halldorophone and electric harp (Katie Buckley).

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Hafdís Bjarnadóttir – A Day in February. Composition for halldorophone and accordion (Paula Engel).

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Áki Ásgeirsson – 293°. Composition for halldorophone and prepared trombone (Ingi Garðar Erlendsson).

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Hallvarður Ásgeirsson Herzog – Miniature nr.6. Composition for halldorophone and grand piano (Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir).

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Sandra Ósk Snæbjörnsdóttir, geologist and cellist, played halldorophone in each of the pieces.

The instrument we used is an incomplete model which is part of a design process to develop halldorophones further. It´s worth noting that the halldorophone was played through a mixer with which the composers were processing the sound with a varying amount of effects and digital input, so the pieces can be said to be for the two instruments and electronics.

The production of these compositions was made possible with support from the Composers Fund of the The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.

All of the above composers have been active within the group S.L.Á.T.U.R.

Hafdís´s piece was consequently invited to The International Rostrum of Composers (IRC) which is organized by the International Music Council.

Þorkell Atlason did the live recording and consequent mixing (except in Hafdís´s piece which she mixed herself).