Handan skýjanna (2025)
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1, 3perc, hp, str
In the summer of 2025, while working on a composition for 7 instruments titled Sól ek sá (Sun I Saw), I had an idea to adapt those same concepts for a large orchestra, taking advantage of its vast sound and textural possibilities. This spark of inspiration led to the creation of Handan skýjanna (Beyond the Clouds), a sonic exploration of the interplay between the contrasting moods of rain and sun. At its core, the work is a representation of the eternal struggle between opposites: the chaos and uncertainty of rain, and the warmth and hope embodied by the sun.
Our journey begins in a mysterious, obscured world, where clouds shroud the landscape and an air of enigma drifts across the waters. The rain starts to fall, softly at first, but soon gaining intensity as it swells into a fierce storm. As the tempest rages on, wind and water merge in a wild, unrelenting dance, with chaos reigning supreme. However, the turmoil gradually begins to subside, and the air grows still. For a brief, fleeting moment, it seems as though the worst has passed, and a sliver of sunlight breaks through the clouds, offering a fragile sense of hope. Yet, this glimmer of optimism is only an illusion — the storm is far from over yet...