This three-movement suite was inspired by the music, culture, and physical beauty of Iceland, Siberia, and Finland. Perhaps I feel connected to these places because of my genetic ancestry in all three countries. Each movement combines classical instruments and styles with the traditional folk instruments and styles of each region. The first movement, “Song of Snow,” starts with my interpretation of a well-known Icelandic tune that is much older than the 14th century poem, “Lilja,” which is often sung to this melody. Otherwise, this first movement is all original music. The second movement, “In the Steppes,” incorporates samples of Tuvan Khoomei overtone singing and traditional instruments, such as the overtone flute and doshpuular, from the Steppe region (e.g., Siberia and Mongolia). The second part of this movement is all original music inspired by classical Russian music. The third movement, “The Frozen Panorama,” is all original music, and incorporates traditional instruments of Finland. The second part of this movement includes an original song inspired by the sound and style of a Sami joik, a traditional form of singing that is a personal or spiritual expression, usually dedicated to a person, an animal, or a landscape. This joik gives thanks (kiitos) to the reindeer, beautiful snow, aurora borealis, moon, and arctic fox.
credits
released October 6, 2022
Composed and performed by Susan Kotler (except as noted above); engineered by Susan Kotler.
Artwork based on an original photograph by Jonatan Pie on Unsplash
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