Thorvaldsdottir’s work is notable for its command of large-scale musical structures which seem to unfold organically whilst never losing focus on their ultimate destination. This can be heard in orchestral pieces such as Dreaming, for which she won the 2008 Nordic Council Music Prize, and AERIALITY, which has received over 20 performances since its premiere in 2011. Ensemble works including the 40-minute cycle In the Light of Air allow the listener to dwell on the ingenuity of the composer’s instrumental writing, whilst the recent choral piece Ad Genua demonstrates her naturally expressive vocal music. Her largest scale work to date is UR_, a chamber opera with a cast of four characters which deals with the human struggle to return to a natural state of being. Thorvaldsdottir was the recipient of the New York Philharmonic’s Kravis Emerging Composer Award in 2015 which features the award of an orchestral commission, on which the composer is currently working, for premiere in Spring 2018.
Anna Thorvaldsdottir comments:
'It has been wonderful to get to know the people at Chester Music and the Music Sales Group, and having had good time to do so has been an invaluable part of establishing this relationship - I can't think of a better home for my music.'
James Rushton, Managing Director of Chester Music says:
'When we first heard Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s music it immediately struck me and my colleagues that here was a new and powerful voice, absolutely of our time whilst entirely linked to the tradition of classical music, in which the variety of striking soundworlds combine to make something completely inevitable. That reaction has only been enhanced by the pleasure of getting to know Anna as we have discussed over the past months what is required of a composer / publisher relationship in today’s shrinking world. Having established a clear understanding of our common goals and aspirations, it is with huge pleasure that I welcome Anna to the company.'
Anna’s debut portrait album Rhízōma was released in October 2011 through Innova Recordings. Aerial was released by Deutsche Grammophon in November 2014 and In the Light of Air was released by Sono Luminus in August 2015, performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE).
Listen to the Anna Thorvaldsdottir playlist
Selected Performances
May 17, San Diego aura red fish blue fish More information
May 19, 20, 23, New York
AERIALITY New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert More information
June 3, Spoleto Festival
Dreaming Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, John Kennedy More information
July 22, Winston-SalemAERIALITY Governor's School of NC OrchestraMore information
August 14-19, ReykjavikA selection of works by Anna Thorvaldsdottir Anna will also be a featured speaker at UNMMore information
August 14, Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music HrímFellows of the TMC in BostonMore information
August 17, New YorkaequilibriaInternational Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) More information
September 28, London AERIALITY Philharmonia Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen More information
About Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Anna Thorvaldsdottir frequently works with large sonic structures that tend to reveal the presence of a vast variety of sustained sound materials, reflecting her sense of imaginative listening to landscapes and nature. Her music tends to portray a flowing world of sounds with an enigmatic lyrical atmosphere.
Anna’s music is frequently performed internationally, and has been featured at several major venues and music festivals such as Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival in NYC, the Composer Portraits Series at NYC's Miller Theatre, the Leading International Composers series at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC, Big Ears Festival, ISCM World Music Days, Nordic Music Days, Ultima Festival, Klangspuren Festival, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Reykjavik Arts Festival, Tectonics, and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Her works have been nominated and awarded on many occasions - most notably, Anna is the recipient of the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize 2012 for her work Dreaming, and The New York Philharmonic's Kravis Emerging Composer Award in 2015.
Some of the orchestras and ensembles that have performed Anna's work and will feature her work in the near future include International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, NDR Symphony Orchestra, Bang on a Can All-Stars, BIT20, La Jolla Symphony, Musiques Nouvelles, Yarn/Wire, The Crossing, Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, CAPUT Ensemble, Oslo Philharmonic, and Either/Or Ensemble. In May 2017, Alan Gilbert will lead the New York Philharmonic in Anna’s work AERIALITY, part of Gilbert’s final season as Music Director.
Anna holds a PhD from the University of California in San Diego.
When not engaged in music-related activities, Anna may be found doing yoga or walking in nature, seeking inspiration for music and life. Anna is married to Hrafn Ásgeirsson, PhD in philosophy, avant-garde saxophone player and recreational photographer.
annathorvalds.com
For further details please contact Kate JohnsonPromotion & Communications Directorkate.johnson@musicsales.co.uk | +44 (0)7920 197354
