MEET THE COMPOSER
The Icelandic composer is one of the most visceral talents to emerge from her country, her riveting soundworlds mirroring the tumultuous, shifting landscapes of the island. Her latest album Archora/Aion is out now on Sono Luminus, while Aurora Orchestra performs In the light of air at Kings Place on 25 November.
I was always making up music from a very early age. I studied the piano, flute, a little bit of brass, and then the cello was my instrument. That was really my aim, to become a cellist. I started to realise that composing is something you can do, and found I had something to say.
I was very shy and didn’t want to show anyone anything I was doing. It was thanks to teachers that saw a little bit of what I was doing and encouraged me to pursue composing. I was spending more and more time notating music and a little less time practising the cello. It was a very organic process; I never feel like I decided to become a composer – I really felt, and feel, like I couldn’t be without it.
I decided that I wanted to release an album at the same time that I graduated. I released Rhízōma in 2011 when I graduated with my PhD, and with that album some people got to know my music.
I aim to be as open as possible when starting a new piece. I will know the instrumentation, so that gives
