Workshop of Icelandic folk songs + ballad singing session
Bara Grimsdottir will explore and share the Icelandic rímur ballad and tvísöngur traditions. These make up a very large part of the singing traditions of Iceland and go back many centuries. Rímur are very long, epic solo sung narratives. Tvísöngur are two voice harmony songs, singing in parallel fifths, with the voices crossing over. Following the workshop will have a ballad singing session including Icelandic ballads from Bara, and the invitation for others to share and sing ballads from UK or other traditions.
Bára was born in Blönduós in the north of Iceland in 1960 and grew up surrounded by the folk songs of her parents and grandparents in the family farm, Grímstunga in Vatnsdalur. Bára has a deep, lifelong involvement with the traditional folk music of Iceland, performing, recording, touring and teaching. She has been the chairperson of Iðunn (the rímur songs and ballad organisation) since 2015 and she instigated the national Day of Rímur songs, held each year on the 15 September.
Bára has written many pieces for vocal groups and choirs. She has composed instrumental music for solo instruments, small and medium sized ensembles, and orchestras. She has also composed an opera and music for theatre. In 2001 she teamed up with English folk musician Chris Foster and formed the duo Funi, that has recorded, toured and taught widely in Europe and North America. In her role as composer, arranger and teacher, Bára continues to draw on the well of traditional Icelandic music, for example the unique Tvísöngur songs, many in lydian mode, where voices sing in parallel fifths and also cross over. As a performer, she invests the traditional songs that she performs with a natural authority born out of her having been surrounded by them from birth.
Ticket prices
£25/20/15, 10 Youth (under 21) workshop + ballad session
£8/6.5/5 ballad session only
As always, if you are keen to attend but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us directly and we will be happy to discuss an option that is affordable for you.
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