Geirþrúður Anna Guðmundsdóttir, cellist, Désirée Mori, mezzo-soprano, and Þóra Kristín Gunnarsdóttir, pianist, explore the beauty and poignancy of impermanence.

The concert program features song cycles by Frank Bridge and Jake Heggie for mezzo-soprano, cello, and piano, centred around themes of parting and coming to terms with the transience of life. Songs by Alma Mahler and Anna Þorvaldsdóttir resemble photographs of beautiful moments — moments to be savoured, for they will never return. A brand-new work by Swiss composer Samuel Cook will be premiered. Also on the program is Samuel Barber’s sonata for cello and piano, whose intense drama and exquisite lyricism resonate with the emotional depth of this concert programme — one filled with beautiful musical imagery and deeply expressive songs.

The concert is supported by the Icelandic Music Fund (Tónlistarsjóður).

Programme

Frank Bridge (1879–1941) – Three Songs for mezzo-soprano, cello (originally viola), and piano

Samuel Barber (1910–1981) – Sonata in c-minor for cello and piano

Anna Þorvaldsdóttir (b. 1977) – Hvolf

– Intermission –

Samuel Cook – New work, world premiere

Alma Mahler (1879–1964) – Five Songs

Jake Heggie (b. 1961) – The Work at Hand for mezzo-soprano, cello, and piano