Strange Turn/Narwhal

Instrumentation | prepared violin, viola, violoncello and harpsichord/grand piano/violin
Date | 2018
Duration | 10-11’
Premiere | Commissioned by Nordic Affect and premiered at Skálholt Cathedral, Iceland as part of composer in residence for Skálholt’s Summer Concerts Series.

The piece was inspired by a phrase found in Timothy Morton’s Dark Ecology:

“Two kinds of weird: a turning and a strange appearing, and a third kind, the weird gap between the two.”

Although written with period instruments in mind, the piece is performable on their modern equivalents. All the instruments are prepared with styrofoam. Inviting a restricted freedom; in the first part the performers can move between and interpret the information there-within, but have allotted time to do so. Time limitations are suggestions and can also be swayed at the discretion of the performers. The last section is optionally timed with a strobing light cast onto the performers or close to them.

Supported by RÚV’s composers fund and Iceland’s Artist Salary Fund.

Audio recording from the premiere by Nordic Affect in Skálholt Cathedral, July 2018.