Archora

Archora (stylized as ARCHORA) is a 2022 orchestral composition written by the Icelandic composer Anna S. Þorvaldsdóttir. The work was jointly commissioned by BBC Radio 3, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Munich Philharmonic, the Orchestre de Paris, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and Klangspuren Schwaz.[1] Its world premiere was given during the BBC Proms by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Eva Ollikainen at Royal Albert Hall on 11 August 2022.[2]

Composition

Archora is cast in one continuous movement and has a duration of roughly 19 minutes.[1]

Instrumentation

The work is scored for an orchestra comprising two flutes, alto flute, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, bass tuba, three percussionists, organ (optional), and strings.[1]

Reception

Reviewing the world premiere, Boyd Tonkin of The Arts Desk described Archora as a "primeval sonic landscape" and declared it "well worth another visit."[3] Andrew Clements of The Guardian favorably compared the piece to the music of Jean Sibelius and described it as "another immensely impressive study in sonority" from the composer;[4] Clements later included the piece as one of the classical music highlights of 2022.[5] John Allison of The Daily Telegraph also praised the piece, writing:

Exploring the notion of primordial energy, ARCHORA (Thorvaldsdottir's titles frequently reflect a fondness for capital letters) opens slowly and with a low growl in the orchestra, building towards a dark mass of sound from which flecks of detail escape momentarily. Full of surprises yet satisfyingly logical, Thorvaldsdottir's brand of Nordic spectralism is summed up in this work scored for large orchestra including organ (but no trumpets), and in which melodic contours emerge as the piece lulls itself towards resolution.[6]

Archora was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for Best Orchestral Composition at The Ivors Classical Awards 2023.[7]

References
  1. Thorvaldsdottir, Anna (2022). "ARCHORA". Wise Music Group. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  2. "BBC Proms premieres: all the new works commissioned for the 2022 BBC Proms season". BBC Music Magazine. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  3. Tonkin, Boyd (12 August 2022). "Prom 34, Soltani, BBC Philharmonic, Ollikainen review - journeys into inner worlds". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  4. Clements, Andrew (12 August 2022). "Prom 34: BBCPhil/Ollikainen review – Thorvaldsdottir's study in sonority is impressive and engaging". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  5. Clements, Andrew; Jeal, Erica; Ashley, Tim; Kettle, Martin; Willson, Flora; Evans, Rian (21 December 2022). "Tears, cheers and whirlytubes: our critics pick their classical highlights of 2022". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  6. Hall, James (1 September 2022). "Prom 34, BBC Phil/Ollikainen, Royal Albert Hall". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  7. Taylor, Mark (2023-10-18). "Nominees announced for The Ivors Classical Awards 2023". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
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