Murmur, whiz, squeak (Niður þytur brak) (2007/2020) 6 songs for soprano, three percussionists, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Poems by Sjón. 15 minutes. Icelandic title: Niður þytur brak.

Version for soprano and piano is also available.

First performance: (original version with accordion) Reykjavík, March 12, 2008, Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir soprano, Tatu Kantomaa, accordion, Eggert Pálsson, Frank Aarnink and Pétur Grétarsson percussion. Guðni Franzson conductor.

First performance of second version: Reykjavík, September 12, 2020, Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir soprano, Steef van Oosterhout, Eggert Pálsson and Pétur Grétarsson percussion, Una Sveinbjarnardóttir violin, Þórunn Ósk Marinósdóttir viola, Sigurður Bjarki Gunnarsson cello and Hávarður Tryggvason doublebass. Guðni Franzson conductor.

The poems by Sjón are taken from his book myrkar fígúrur (Dark Figures) published by Mál og menning in 1998. The songs are:
Birting
Frétt frá undralandi
Finnagaldur
Augað
Harlekín
Uppstigning á fjöllum

Recording: https://open.spotify.com/album/4xYa5a0k3HGHqVFnOEdjE6?si=m7Fbv0oaSTqLDUQlE-bQEQ

For further information please contact Iceland Music Information at itm@mic.is or the composer at hato@simnet.is