Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

Nornir Concerto is a three-movement work for orchestra and a single soloist on Viola and Violin.

Introduction. Yggdrasill - The World Tree
I. Urd - Weaving echoes of the Past
II. Skuld - Weaving stars of the Future
III. Verandi - Weaving the life force of the Present

In Norse mythology it is believed that there are nine worlds, held within Yggdrasill, the world tree. At its base are three immortal women known as Norns, or 'Nornir' in Old Norse: Urd, Skuld, and Verandi. In one form of the myth they are the daughters of Time, who weave the Wyrd (fate) of all. Each Norn is associated with a different aspect of time: Urd, often represented as an older woman, is the past; Skuld, young, looking skyward or veiled, is the future; and Verandi, mature and sometimes depicted as a Valkyrie, is the present. In many artistic representations the three are weaving a long silken rope.

Work Details

Year: 2016

Instrumentation: Viola and violin soloists, 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in F, 2 trumpets in Bb, 2 tenor trombones, tuba, timpani (32”, 28”, 25” & 23” - I (D G E Ab) III (Eb F Bb Ab)), percussion (2 players - glockenspiel, percussion 2 - triangle; finger cymbals (7cm and 4.5cm); suspended cymbal; low and high wood blocks; side drum (snare off)), strings.

Duration: 12 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Contents note: Yggdrasill - The World Tree -- Urd - Weaving Echoes of the Past -- Skuld - Weaving Stars of the Future -- Verdandi - Weaving the Life Force of the Present.

Commission note: Commissioned by University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Zelman Symphony Orchestra.

First performance: by Zelman Symphony Orchestra, Mark Shiell — 27 Nov 16. Scandinavian Masterpieces, The Memo, Healesville, VIC

Prizes/Awards: Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra - Emerging Composer of the Year