Nature morte 2019 12′
for cimbalom, harp and ensemble
First performance at Dark Music Days, Reykjavík, February 1, 2020
Frank Aarnink cimbalom (and vibraphone), Katie Buckley harp, Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra.
Instrumentation: flute, 2 clarinets in Bb, harp solo, cimbalom solo (+vibraphone), 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass.
In 2018 Frank Aarnink and Katie Buckley asked me to compose a concerto for cimbalom and harp. I probably failed to do that but these instruments do have quite a large role in this piece. When I was about to start composing I saw photographs of works by Azuma Makoto. He creates large flower arrangements that he then freezes in clear water. These frozen sculptures became a starting point for the music. Dead flowers looking very vivid. Living dead. The title is French and literally means dead nature. It usually refers to works of art that depict inanimate objects (like food or flowers) and are usually called still life in english.