Written to mark the completion of Icelandic composer and double bassist Bára Gísladóttir’s studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, VÍDDIR was first performed in and with the vast acoustic of Grundtvig’s Church in Copenhagen in February 2020. A monumental and dark piece for nine flutes, three percussionist, bass and double bass with the church acoustic as an unnamed fifteenth performer.

In November last year, a digital album was released presenting a live recording of the hour long work from the Dark Music Days festival in Reykjavík. Now Dacapo Records is releasing a CD version of VÍDDIR, for those who prefer the physical format. The CD will be released on 25 August and can be purchased in the Dacapo Records web shop.

A unique and haunting piece of music

The recording of VÍDDIR has already attracted a lot of attention from international reviewers. The digital album was named Album of the Year by the acknowledged music blog 5:4 who wrote: "It’s hands down one of the most unique, special, haunting and above all stunning pieces of music I’ve heard all year". The album was also highlighted by The New Yorker on the Notable Recordings of 2022 list.

Furthermore, Bára Gísladóttir was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2022 for VÍDDIR.

You can read more about the work here and listen on your streaming service via this link.