Reykjavík Tool Orchestra is a chamber orchestra that explores the hidden musical qualities of industrial tools. Consisting of cordless drills, saws, concrete mixers, and heat guns, the ensemble transforms familiar tools of construction into musical instruments. Through an exploration of rhythm, pitch, and texture, the orchestra seeks to discover softness, warmth, and tenderness in objects typically associated with noise, force, and hard labour. The orchestra is founded and conducted by artist Kristinn Arnar Sigurðsson, also known as krassasig.

…Until it blazes

Using an electric guitar, sustain pedals, stereo delays, reverbs and pre-recorded tape, the musician creates an immersive path through hypnotic stillness, melancholic beauty, and driving rhythm.

The journey includes John Cage’s Dream, a meditative piece written in 1948 arranged for electric guitar and sustain pedal. From there, the sound expands into Eve Beglarian’s ...until it blazes (2001). Framed by the words, "I have cast fire upon the world, and watch, I am guarding it until it blazes," the piece uses stereo delay to transform a simple “ostinato” into wall of tones and rythms.

In between these contemporary works, the musician looks back at John Dowland’s Flow, My Tears to mark 400 years since the composer’s death. Originally written in 1595, its rich, melancholic harmonies adapt effortlessly to the electric guitar, sounding extremely modern and reflective.

The performance culminates in Steve Reich’s masterpiece, Electric Counterpoint, honoring the minimalist giant ahead of his 90th birthday this October. Written for Pat Metheny in 1987, the piece is a perfect dialogue between live guitar and pre-recorded guitar tracks, finding a pulsing human heart within precise rhythms.