Experimental soundscapes at Harpa

The Tectonics Reykjavik Festival is in its second day today, Friday, at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik.  Curator of Tectonics is conductor and composer Ilan Volkov and the festival, now in its fourth year in Iceland, presents an interesting spectrum of composers and performers from different backgrounds, thus creating one of the most experimental and exciting music festivals in the country. 

At this year's festival, the Iceland Symphony Orchestrapremieres works by Icelandic composers and artists Áki Ásgeirsson, Magnús Pálsson, Kristín Þóra Haraldsdóttir, Hlynur Aðils Vilmarsson and Úlfur Hansson.  Last night, Stephen O'Malley of Sun O ))) performed guitar in a piece by  Iancu Dumitrescu. Furthermore, the orchestra will play a piece by Jon Rose and Elena Kats Chernin for Jon Rose as an improvising soloist and orchestra, premiered at Tectonics, Adelaide in 2014. Also on the orchestra’s program, works by Catherine Lamb and Klaus Lang who also will give a solo performance on the final show of the festival.

Other featured artists include Robyn Schulkowsky, Alvin Curran, Stephen O’Malley and Joel Stern, as well as performances by experimental duos Part Wild Horses Mane On Both Sides and Usurper.

Among the highlights tonight is a work by Icelnadic composer Magnús Pálsson — Kúakyn í hættu (WP)( An endangered cow breed)  for orchestra, choir and two actors. 

Tickets are available at Harpa. For more information see www.tectonicsfestival.com