Event info

Reykjavik Arts Festival

Enigma is a new string quartet by leading contemporary composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir and renowned video artist Sigurður Guðjónsson. Inspired by the notion of the in-between, the music juxtaposes flow and fragmentation, as the expanding and contracting fundament in the form of pulsating stasis is contrasted by fragmented materials – shadows of things that live as part of the whole.

Four-time Grammy nominees the Spektral Quartet co-commissioned the work, described as „like no string quartet you‘ve ever heard“ and „wonderful work“ that resides on the border between concert music and installation art.

Anna Thorvaldsdottir‘s work has been performed by many of the world‘s leading orchestras and ensembles. Her accolades include the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize. Icelandic Visual Artist of the Year 2018, Sigurður Guðjónsson has exhibited around the world and represents Iceland at the 2022 Venice Biennale. In his video work, image, sound and space intertwine in powerful ways. The Perlan Planetarium creates a unique atmosphere for this fascinating work.

Composer: Anna Þorvaldsdóttir

Visuals: Sigurður Guðjónsson

Spektral Quartet:
Violin: Theo Espy
Violin: Clara Lyon
Viola: Doyle Armbrust
Cello: Russell Rolen