Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.06.2009, Side 42

30
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 7 — 2009
That big house in the photo is host to
Ísafjörður's most excellent music school,
where a lot of Við Djúpið occurs.
30
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 7 — 2009
Music Festival
What Lurks By The Deep?
The 7th Annual Við Djúpið Festival Launched
Ísafjörður annually hosts the
classical music festival Við Djúpið
– an unfailing, classical sibling of
the celebrated carnival Aldrei fór
ég suður – but Við Djúpið is just
as prestigious and fun a festival.
This one is also equally musically
adventurous, no mean feat in the
classical world.
The action commences on June
18 and lasts till June 23. Sharp-
witted observers can vividly see
that these five days are the last
ones before Summer Solstice night,
so the sun will be shining through
the whole fête as it lingers at the
point where it never quite sets. This
ever-lasting sunshine surely causes
the atmosphere to be immensely
energetic, but you should consider
bringing your sleeping goggles
though – that is, if you plan on
recharging your energy between the
generous portions of mind-blowing
music.
Words
Sigurður Kjartan Kristinsson
Photography
Ágúst Atlason - www.gusti.is
Portraits
Ernir Eyjólfsson
Viktor Orri Árnason has dipped his
toes in various musical buckets despite
his young age. His violin has been dear
to him since he was an infant, and he is
currently studying to be a violinist in the
Academy of the Arts in Iceland. He has
performed with various prolific bands
such as the Icelandic National Sympho-
ny Orchestra, but he is also a member of
high-flying pop outfit Hjaltalín. He hasn’t
composed anything of this scale previ-
ously, so you might say his cherry will be
popped in Ísafjorður.
Högni Egilsson has a face that probably
every Icelander recognises nowadays,
which can be blamed on the fact that
he is the front man of aforementioned
Hjaltalín. His role in Hjaltalín is to lead
the composition and provide their songs
with vocals, so he is kind of a shark in
the composition field, but composition is
also what he’s studying at the Academy
of the Arts.
Gunnar Karel Másson differs from
the other contestants by not being a
Hjaltalín member (fancy that!), but who
knows what might happen after a week
together; maybe they’ll hook up? He
does study composition in the Academy
of the Arts, so they’re all schoolmates.
Gunnar Karel isn’t exactly a novice in the
field for he has composed scores for a
few stage performances in the academy
and this summer he is also contributing
his works to similar festivals in Germany
and Sweden.
The usual: change, of course
Festival director Greipur Gíslason de-
scribed this year’s schedule as a unique
one that differs from previous incarna-
tions in many ways, which is in keep-
ing with the fest’s unwritten tradition
to take a new approach every year. One
of the cornerstones of the festival is its
‘master classes’, where youngsters as
well as experienced enthusiasts can col-
lectively further their knowledge and
abilities in music. This year’s principle
mentor is the guitarist Pétur Jónsson,
and unyielding by his side will be the
famed pianist Vovka Stefán Ashkenazy.
The fascinating duo also works in col-
laboration with the Danish composer
Bent Sørensen, who is really this festi-
val’s secret weapon. He hosts his own
‘master class’ but that isn’t the whole of
his role; he is the honorary judge in the
“new composer” competition hosted in
collaboration with Ísafold Chamber Or-
chestra and Rás 2.
New, novice and noted composers
Earlier this year, up and coming com-
posers were given the chance to submit
applications to participate in this classi-
cal adventure. After a strenuous process
the committee of judges chose the three
composers who, in their opinion, boast-
ed the most potential. The lucky three
are given the unique opportunity of
writing an abridged piece for the Ísafold
Chamber Orchestra to perform. Their
work isn’t finished there, for they get to
work closely with the orchestra during
the preliminary stages. This is surely
an intense experience for those talented
youths involved, but once you discover
their identities you see that it might not
be as laborious as you might’ve thought.
The fact is, two of the three chosen ones
are members of the ever-so-popular
chamber pop outfit Hjaltalín, which has
slowly been earning a spot as the U2 of
Iceland. U2 with strings.
So why not visit this secluded area
in the Westfjords and witness some top-
notch classical music in between taking
it easy and enjoying the view? You can
enrol to one of the seminars up for grabs
at www.viddjupid.is and if you decide to
go west, remember to roll around naked
in the grass on midnight of the 23rd,
Midsummer Night, ‘cause if the myth is
true you’re in for a treat. Plus, you might
even witness the creation of 2009 sum-
mer hit by Hjaltalín.
Deep Winners: