Sigrún Edvaldsdóttir, the violinist on this recording, began her studies at age five and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon for her contributions to music.
Composer Biography
Haukur Tómasson, born in Iceland in 1960, studied composition in Reykjavik, Cologne, Amsterdam, and at the University of California, San Diego.
Compositional Technique
The titles of some of Haukur Tómasson's works, like 'Spíral' (spiral) and 'Árhringur' (annual ring), reflect his compositional method of organizing harmony in spiral-like movements.
Performer Biography
The Caput Ensemble, founded in 1987 by young Icelandic musicians, is dedicated to performing and commissioning new music and is a significant force in Icelandic and European new music scenes.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haukur Tómasson's music is characterized by a strong sense of 'musical energy,' which the composer believes is essential for new art music to stand out in today's multi-media environment.
Compositional Technique
Haukur Tómasson's music often features sudden, consequent formal transformations, avoiding ambiguity and hesitation in both rhythmic and melodic aspects.
Composition History
The Violin Concerto was written specifically for the soloist Sigrún Edvaldsdóttir, exploiting her interpretative qualities, while Stemma is an elaboration of an Icelandic folk tune.
