Profile
Hildur Guðnadóttir is composer and cello player from Iceland.
Solo Albums
Mount A (12 Tónar, 2006)
“Mount A” is the debut album and a Contemporary Classical album by Hildur Guðnadóttir. Basically the music is contemporary and experimental string ensemble songs, and some songs includes guitar, piano, vibraphone and synthesizer pad parts. Also it owns elements of Minimal Music, Ambient and Expressionist Music.
Without Sinking (Touch, 2009)
“Without Sinking” is the second album of Hildur Guðnadóttir. And, it’s a Post-classical, experimental strings album. Jóhann Jóhannsson as organ and Skúli Sverrisson as bass take part in this album.
“Elevation” is a song of long tone abstract strings song. As the title, this song begun from low tones, and progresses high tone.
“Everything Light” is an arpeggio based Minimal strings song. Each string instrument crosses dynamically.
“Circular” is a composition is consist of long tone chords strings.
“Ascent” is a string quartet song like baroque music and Minimal Music. A cello plays a bass part, 3 parts cross and form harmonies in repeating phrases.
“Opaque” is a dynamique and agressive string ensemble song. I feel her anger.
“Aether” is a Folk taste also abstract, guitar and small orchestra ensemble song.
“Into Warmer Air” is a Minimal Music string ensemble song. It begins by phrases repetitions of a contra bass, and cello(s), viola(s) then violin(s) follow and the harmonies of song become bright from gloomy harmonies.
“Unveiled” is an abstract and obscure song by some string instruments. The end they make clear phrases and harmonies.
Saman (Touch, 2014)
“Saman” is a Post-classical album features cello solos of Guðnadóttir and string ensemble.
“Strokur” is a simple and serious composition of string ensemble features Guðnadóttir’s cello solo.
“Frá” is a sacred song of chorus with modulated distorted stings.
“Birting” is minimal and slow composition for strings.
“Heyr Himnasmiður” is Icelandish or Scottish taste song features female vocal with string accompaniment.
“Bær” is a significant and melancholic strings song.
“Heima” is Folk taste guitar arpeggio based vocal song. The vocal style like a whisper is impressive.
“Í Hring” is a short miserable, sad and serious piece like the Second Viennese School.
“Rennur Upp” is serious strings composition with faint muted piano arpeggios. The best song of this album.
“Líður” is Folk and Christian Anthem taste vocal song with fragmental piano. Later part, strings accompaniment follow.
“Torrek” is a short serious strings piece features cello solo of Guðnadóttir.
“Þoka” is experimental and gloomy music of modulated string instruments and their reflections and noises.
I feel the theme of album is intervals, stillness and silence. You might be satisfied with Guðnadóttir’s cello plays and her iconic style composition and strings arrangement.
Resources and Links
Hildur Guðnadóttir (official site)
Deutsche Grammophon – Hildur Guðnadóttir
Pitchfork – Hildur Guðnadóttir
