Daníel Bjarnason worklist 2023

Daníel Bjarnason

Daníel Bjarnason

Daníel Bjarnason is one of Iceland’s foremost musical voices today, increasingly in demand as conductor, composer and programmer. He is Artist in Collaboration with Iceland Symphony Orchestra, an appointment that follows his tenures as Principal Guest Conductor and Artist in Residence.

Keeping a busy composing schedule alongside his conducting commitments, many of his works are taken up beyond their premieres and regularly programmed around the world. Recent premieres include Inferno, his Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra written for Martin Grubinger and commissioned by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and FEAST, the Piano Concerto written for Víkingur Ólafsson and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles by Ólafsson and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Bjarnason maintains a close connection with Los Angeles Philharmonic, having written From Space I Saw Earth for Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta and Esa-Pekka Salonen to conduct together at its Centennial Birthday Celebration Concert and Gala in 2019. In 2017 they premiered Bjarnason’s Violin Concerto at the Hollywood Bowl, in a co-commission with Iceland Symphony for Pekka Kuusisto, while he co-curated the orchestra’s Reykjavík Festival, an eclectic and multidisciplinary 17-day event, in which he featured as conductor and composer.

Violin Concerto, became a success with audiences and orchestras and remains very popular. Kuusisto has performed it with Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, National Arts Center orchestras, Swedish Radio and Finnish Radio symphony orchestras, Göteborgs Symfoniker, MDR Sinfonieorchester and NDR Elbphilharmonie. Bjarnason conducts the recording of the work with Kuusisto, as part of the final instalment of a three-album recording project with Iceland Symphony for Sono Luminus focussing on Icelandic music and composers.

Since its premiere in 2017, his first opera, Brothers, for the Danish National Opera and directed by Kasper Holten, based on the Susanne Bier film of the same name, was also revived in Reykjavík by The Icelandic Opera in 2018, and opened Budapest’s 2019 Armel Opera Festival.

A recipient of numerous accolades, in 2018 he was awarded the Optimism prize by the President of Iceland, won the 8th Harpa Nordic Film Composers Award for the feature film Under the Tree, and was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize. He also won Composer of the Year, Best Composer/Best Composition and Best Performer at the Icelandic Music Awards in recent years.

Bjarnason studied piano, composition and conducting in Reykjavík and pursued further studies in orchestral conducting at Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. He released several albums for the label Bedroom Community.

For further information:

Air To Breath (from Bow to String) (2023) 5 minutes Version for String orchestra

First performed by Iceland Symphony Orchestra as an encore, UK tour, April 2023

EP 73702

All Sounds to Silence Come (2007) 15 minutes for chamber orchestra

1(Picc).1.1(Bcl).1(Cbsn)–2.1.1.0–2Perc–Hp–Pf(Cel)–Str (max 6.5.4.3.2 / min 1.1.1.1.1)

EP 12994

Blow Bright (2013) 10 minutes for orchestra

3(Picc).3(Ca).2.Bcl.2.Cbsn–4.3.3.1–Timp–4Perc–Hp–Pf–Str

Commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director

First performed 19 December 2013 by the LA Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel

EP 14019

Bow to String (2009-2013) 17 minutes for solo cello and tape

I. Sorrow conquers Happiness

II. Blood to Bones

III. Air to Breath

EP 14079

Bow to String (2009-2013) 17 minutes for solo cello and small ensemble solo cello ,clarinet, horn, 2 pianos, strings

EP 14012

Bow to String (2009-2013) 17 minutes for solo cello and chamber orchestra

Vc Solo – 1.1.1(Bcl).1(Cbsn) – 1.1.2.0 – Perc – Hp – Pf – Str (min 1.1.1.1.1)

First performed 16 October 12 by the LA Phil New Music Group conducted by John Adams with Sæunn Þorsteinsdóttir (Vc)

EP 12819

Bow to String (2011-2022) 17 minutes for solo cello and orchestra

Cello solo (amplified in the first movement, slightly amplified in the second movement and not amplified in the final movement)

2(II=Picc).2(II=Ca).2(II=Bcl).2(II=Cbsn)–4.3.3.1–Timp–3Perc (Snare Drum, Kicked Bass Drum, Orchestral Bass Drum, Cymbals-Vibraphone, Gongs, Floor Tom, Temple Block, Washboard) – Str(12.10.8.7.6)

EP 14080

Bow to String (2019) 17 minutes

Version for 10 strings

10 strings: 2.2.2.3.1

EP 73469

Brothers (2017) 100 minutes

Opera in three acts

3(+Picc).2(+Ca).3(+ClElb+B-cl).2(+Cbsn) - 4.3.3.1 - Timp - Perc - Pf/Cel - Str (10.8.8.6.5)

Libretto by Kerstin Perski based on the screenplay by Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen. 4S(3=Mez).Ct.T.2Bar.B Soli–SSAATB Chorus–3(II=A-fl, III=Picc.B-fl).2(II=Ca).3(II=ClEb, III=B-cl).2(II=Cbsn)–4.3.2.B-tbn.1–Timp–3Perc–Pf(Cel)–Str (min. 10.8.8.6.5)

First performed 16 August 2017, Musikhuset Aarhus

Commissioned by the Danish National Opera / Den Jyske Opera

EP 73002

Man Goes to War (2017) (5 mins 30 seconds) Extract from Act 1 of Brothers For Chorus and orchestra

EP 73054

Brothers (Reduced orchestration) Opera in three acts

Libretto by Kerstin Perski based on the screenplay by Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen

This version was first performed 2 July 2019, MUPA Festival Theatrem Budapest

4S(3=Mez).Ct.T.2Bar.B Soli–SSAATB Chorus–2(I=A-fl, II=Picc.B-fl).1(Ca).2(II=ClEb&B-cl).2(II=Cbsn)

–2.1.1.B-tbn.0–3Perc–Pf(Cel)–Str (min. 6.5.4.4.2)

EP 73414

Burletta (2015) c.10 minutes for oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bass clarinet, bassoon

EP 72988

Collider (2015) c. 16 minutes for orchestra

4(III&IV=Picc). 4(IV=Ca).3.Bcl.3.Cbsn–6.4.3.1–Timp–3Perc–Hp–Pf–Str

Commissioned by The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, MusicNOW Festival and Iceland Symphony Orchestra

First performed 14 March 2015 by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the Cincinnati Music Hall, conducted by Louis Langrée

EP 14096

Ek ken die nag (2014) 8 minutes for SATB chorus and Reed Quintet

Text: Elisabeth Eybers

First performed 15 March 201 by Calefax Reed Quintet and the Netherlands Chamber Choir at De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Co-commissioned by the Calefax Reed Quintet, the Netherlands Chamber Choir and the Eduard van Beinum Foundation

EP 73061

Emergence (2011) 15 minutes for orchestra

3(II&III=Picc).3(Ca).3(III=B-cl).3 (III=Cbsn)–4.3.3.1–4Perc–Hp–Pf–Str (14.14.10.10.8)

First performed 1 February 2011 by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at the Dark Music Days Festival, Háskólabíó, Reykjavík, conducted by the composer

EP 12995

Fanfare for Harpa (2011) 2 minutes for 9 brass players & percussion

0.0.0.0–3.3.3.1–3Perc

Commissioned by Harpa Concert Hall for the inauguration concert of Harpa in May 2011

EP 73235

FEAST (2022) 23 minutes for solo piano and orchestra

Solo Piano-2.Picc.2.Ca.2.B-cl.2.Cbsn–4.3.3.1–Timp–3Perc–Hp–Str(min 12.10.8.6.5.)

First performed 18 February 2022 by Víkingur Ólafsson and Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen

Icelandic premiere 2 March 2022 by Víkingur Ólafsson and Iceland Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer

Commissioned by Iceland Symphony Orchestra, LA Philharmonic - Gustav Dudamel, Music & Artistic Director, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

EP 73636

Five Chinese Poems (2001) 7 minutes for flute, oboe and sheng

Commissioned by Voix Nouvelles - Fondation Royaumont

EP 12996

Five Possibilities (2014) 8 minutes for clarinet, cello and piano

Commissioned and first performed by Trio Ariadne on 4 April 2014 at the Weill Music Hall, Green Music Center in Sonoma, California, USA

EP 14053

Four Possibilities (2012) 7 minutes for solo piano

Commissioned by the Icelandic department of EPTA

EP 14075

Four Seasons of Yosa Buson (2003) 8 minutes for violin, harp and optional percussion

Based on four haiku by the japanese poet and painter Yosa Buson (1716-1783)

Commissioned by Takefu Festival, Japan

First performed 15 June 2003 by Naoko Yoshino (harp) and Asako Urushihara (violin)

EP 12997

Frames (2015) c.25 minutes for ensemble and tape

Music for choreography by Alexander Whitley

First performed 5 March 2015 by Rambert at Theatre Royal, Glasgow

EP 72989

From Space I Saw Earth (2019) 12 minutes for three conductors and orchestra

3(III=Picc).Afl(Picc).3.Ca.3(III=ClEb).Bcl.3.Cbsn–6.4.3.1–Timp–3Perc–Crotales (off stage)–Hp–Pf–Str

Orchestra Right: 3(III=Picc).Afl(Picc).0.3(III=ClEb).0–3.2.1.1–1Perc–Pf Orchestra Centre: 1Perc-Timp-Str

Orchestra Left: 0.3.Ca.0.3.Cbsn-3.2.2.0-1Perc-Hp

First performed 24 October 2019 by Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta and Esa-Pekka Salonen

Commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, for Gustavo Dudamel, Zubin Mehta and Esa-Pekka Salonen to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra

EP 73461

Impressions (2016) 8 minutes for solo piano

First performed 11 February 2017 (two movements) by Vikingur Olafsson at Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg

I New York

EP 73045

II

EP 73046

III Burlesque

EP 73047

Inferno (2022) 18 minutes

Concerto for solo percussion and orchestra

3(III=Picc).2.2.B-cl.2(II=Cbsn)–4.2.3.1–Timp–3Perc–Hp–Str

First performed 2 November 2022 by Martin Grubinger and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tomas Djupsjöbacka

EP 73592

The Isle Is Full Of Noises (2011) 14 minutes

Version for children’s chorus and orchestra (original) Children’s Chorus–3.3(III=Ca).3(III=Bcl).3(III=Cbsn)–4.3.3.1–3Perc–Hp–Pf–Str

Text: William Shakespeare

I. O, I Have Suffered

II. Be Not Afear’d

III. The Cloud-Capp’d Towers

Commissioned by Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and American Youth Symphony. First performance given at Walt Disney Hall, Los Angeles, by the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and the American Youth Symphony, conducted by James Conlon

EP 13002

The Isle Is Full Of Noises (2011) 14 minutes

Version for SATB youth choir and orchestra

SATB Youth Choir–3.3(III=Ca).3(III=Bcl).3(III=Cbsn)–4.3.3.1–3Perc–Hp–Pf–Str

Text: William Shakespeare

EP 13003

Larkin Songs (2011) 14 minutes for voice and piano quintet (and optional double-bass). Can also be performed with larger string section

Text: Philip Larkin

I. Talking in Bed

II. Is It Now Or For Always

III. Night Music

First performed in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland, as part of the summer music festival

First performed by: Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir, Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir, Helga Þóra Björgvinsdóttir, Þórunn Ósk Marinósdóttir, Margrét Árnadóttir and Daníel Bjarnason as part of the summer music festival ‘Kammertónleikar á

Kirkjubæjarklaustri’, Iceland

Double-bass added to score in September 2010 on request of the Sonor Ensemble in Madrid

EP 73457

Larkin Songs (2011) 14 minutes

Version for voice and orchestra

Text: Philip Larkin

I. Talking in Bed

II. Is It Now Or For Always

III. Night Music

Voice-2(II=Picc).1.1.Bcl.2(II=Cbsn)–4.2.3.0–Timp–2Perc–Hp–Str

This new orchestrated version was completed in April 2022 for a recording with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in May 2022, for the label Dacapo Records. The vocal part of this version was revised: In the second movement, the pitch was lowered, making it more suitable for medium/high voice

EP 73649

Laughing Song (2018) 2 minutes 30 seconds for children’s chorus (SSAA)

Text: ‘when the green woods laugh’ from ‘Songs of Innocence’ by William Blake

First performed 12 May 2018 by Los Angeles Children’s Chorus at Pasadena Presbyterian Church

Commissioned by the Libaw Family in honor of Anne Tomlinson, Artistic Director, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus

EP 73234

Music for Solaris (2010) c. 45 minutes

Co-composed with Ben Frost for string orchestra, percussion, prepared piano and electronics. Can only be performed live by Daníel Bjarnason and Ben Frost and orchestra.

Commissioned by Unsound Festival, Krakow

First performed at Unsound Festival by Daníel Bjarnason, Ben Frost and Sinfonietta Cracovia. Presented with video manipulations by Brian Eno and Nick Robertson, of Andrei Tarkovsky’s film Solaris

EP 73032

We don’t need other worlds, we need mirrors

EP 73033

Simulacra I

EP 73034

Simulacra II

EP 73035

Snow

EP 73036

Cruel Miracles

EP 73037

Hydrogen Sulfide

EP 73038

Unbreakable Silence

EP 73039

We mean more to me than any scientific truth

EP 73040

Saccades

EP 73041

Venia

EP 73042

See also: Reyja

EP 12812a

Over Light Earth 16 minutes for chamber ensemble

1(Picc).1.1(Bcl).1(Cbsn)–1.1.1.1–2Perc–Hp–2Pf–Str(3.0.2.1.1)

Commissioned by Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director and Barbican, London

First performed 16 October 2012 by the LA Phil New Music Group as part of the “Green Umbrella” series at the Walt Disney Hall, Los Angeles, conducted by John Adams

EP 12798

Parallel (2015) c.10 minutes for flute, viola and harp

Commissioned by the Britten Sinfonia and first performed 19 February 2016 at St. Andrews Hall, Norwich, by members of the Britten Sinfonia

EP 14148

Percussion Concerto (2018) 11 minutes for solo percussion and ensemble

Solo Percussion-Flute-Oboe-Bassoon-Horn-Trumpet-Trombone-Orchestral Percussion-Piano-Strings

Commissioned for the Tromp International Percussion Final 18 November 2018, Muziekbebouw Eindhoven

First performed by Nikolay Ivanov, Elliott Gaston-Ross, Kai Strobel (finalists), Asko|Schönberg Ensemble conducted by the composer

EP 73295

Processions (2009) 28 minutes for piano and orchestra

I. In Medias Res

II. Spindrift

III. Red-handed

Pf Solo–2(II=Picc/Afl).2.2(II=Bcl).2(II=Cbsn)–4.3.3.1–4Perc–Hp–Str

First performed 12 February 2009 by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson (Pf) as part of the Dark Music Days Festival 2009 in Háskólabíó conducted by the composer

EP 12842

Qui Tollis (2013) 8 minutes for amplified percussion quartet

Commissioned by MusicNOW Festival, Cincinnati for So Percussion

EP 12998

Reyja - Music for Sólaris (2010) 6 minutes

Co-composition with Ben Frost for percussion and strings

EP 12812a

Skelja (2006) 7 minutes for harp and percussion

Stillshot (2015) c.10 minutes for string quartet

First performed 9 April 2015 by the Calder Quartet at the Broad Stage, Los Angeles EP 72717

Violin Concerto (2017) c. 20 minutes

Solo Violin–2(II=Picc).2.2(II=Bcl).2(II=Cbsn)–4.2.Tbn.B-tbn.1–Timp-2Perc–Pf–Str

Commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra

First performed 22 August 2017 by Pekka Kuusisto (vln) and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, at the Hollywood Bowl EP 73128

We Came in Peace for All Mankind (2018) 37 minutes for 12 horns, 12 grand pianos (not played), 4 subwoofers

First performed 23 June 2018 at Concertgebouw Amsterdam

Commissioned by the Holland Festival EP 73272

White Flags (2018) 10 minutes for piano trio

First performed 19 January 2018 by Storioni Trio at Musikgebouw Eindhoven Holland

Commissioned by the Storioni Festival 2018 EP 73196