Clavis Metrica by Ensemble Adapter & Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson
The CD is available from col-legno and in varios record stores worldwide.
The term “clavis metrica” traditionally refers to a catalogue of poetic meters, poems written explicitly to explore shifting verse forms and demonstrate the virtuosity of the author. Inspired by ancient Icelandic poetry, Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson has composed his own musical clavis metrica. The meter provides a flexible canvas for musical composition that can withstand many variations in musical rhythm and melody, while still remaining recognisable to the trained poetic ear.
Additional info about background of the piece can be found in this series of blogs:
https://gudmundursteinn.net/clavis-metrica-pt-1-it-started-as-sort-of-a-high-school-prank/
https://gudmundursteinn.net/clavis-metrica-pt-2-which-poetry/
https://gudmundursteinn.net/clavis-metrica-pt-3-the-piece-and-the-process/
https://gudmundursteinn.net/clavis-metrica-pt-4-my-acqauintance-with-ensemble-adapter/
Tracklist
| 1. | Introduction | 1:22 |
| 2. | Stuðlafall | 3:39 |
| 3. | Ferskeytla | 2:49 |
| 4. | Stiklulvik - Gagari | 2:33 |
| 5. | Stafhenda | 1:45 |
| 6. | Stafhenda - Samhenda | 2:53 |
| 7. | Samhenda - Stefjahrun - Valstýfa | 3:44 |
| 8. | Valstýfa - Nýhenda | 3:15 |
| 9. | Breiðhenda (Nýlanghenda) | 2:05 |
| 10. | Langhenda | 2:29 |
| 11. | Draghenda | 3:55 |
| 12. | Skammhenda | 1:22 |
| 13. | Úrkast | 1:57 |
| 14. | Dverghenda | 2:15 |
| 15. | Braghenda | 3:38 |
| 16. | Afhending | 1:13 |
| 17. | Valhenda | 2:34 |
| 18. | Stúfhenda | 3:02 |
Credits
Ensemble Adapter
Kristjana Helgadóttir, flute and rattles
Ingólfur Vilhjálmsson, clarinet in Bb and rattles
Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir, harp and samba flute
Matthias Engler, percussion, harmonica and various whistles
© + ℗ 2025 col legno music GmbH Schönlaterngasse 5/3, 1010 Vienna (AT)
Executive Producers Andreas Schett, Marco Russo / col legno
Recording dates 13 & 14 October 2022
Recording location Gamla Bíó, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Live recording of the concert at Nordic Music Days 2022.
Recorded by Ívar Baldvin Júlíusson and Jökull Karlsson from Studio Sýrland for RÚV (Icelandic National Radio)
Mixed by Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson & Jesper Pedersen
Mastered by Þorgrímur Þorsteinsson
Graphic Design Circus. Büro für Kommunikation und Gestaltung, Innsbruck (AT)
The composition of this piece was funded by the Icelandic Artists’ Salary Fund.
License
All rights reserved.Tags
In his search for a music with neither grids nor straight lines, Icelandic composer Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson incorporates digital dynamic screen scores or animated notation to express his inability to adapt to the convenient society. His interest in Icelandic folksong has fueled his belief in life without barlines or equal distances and no-grid approach to music.