In the heart of winter’s embrace, where the sun is a coy mistress, Dark Music Days returns to Reykjavík for its 43rd symphony of shadow and sound from January 24-28, 2024. Reykjavík, the capital that dances on the edge of the world, becomes the stage for a singular spectacle—a celebration of contemporary music that revels in the mystique of Iceland’s endless nights.
Dark Music Days, an annual revelry of leading-edge resonance, serves as a global gathering point for virtuosos of the new wave, where Icelandic maestros share the limelight with international luminaries. Harpa Concert Hall, a jewel of architectural wonder, together with other eminent spots around the Capital Area, becomes a haven for artistic expression.
The roster is nothing short of electric – featuring the otherworldly strings of Gyða Valtýsdóttir, the vibrant Ragga Gísla, and of course, the roar of GROWL POWER – The music of Bára Gísladóttir. The Cantoque Ensemble will take listeners on a journey through the choral cosmos of Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson, while the Iceland Symphony Orchestra debuts The Wanderer Symphony, a soaring visual and aural experience.
More than 20 riveting events populate the 2024 programme, drawing composers and artists of notable fame, alongside flourishing international guests. The air will pulse with performances, provocative talks, and a camaraderie found only among those who traverse the avant-garde. To the delight of delegates and media alike, the festival unfolds its pages of discussion and discovery.
This conclave of auditory adventure is the brainchild of the Icelandic Composers Society, in concert with Iceland Music, Reykjavik Music City, and Harpa Concert Hall, heartened by the generous patronage of the Icelandic National Music Fund. The visionary Ásmundur Jónsson helms as the festival’s artistic director, curating a programme that sings to the soul.
For those eager to dive into this musical abyss, the full score of Dark Music Days 2024 awaits at darkmusicdays.is. Seek out the festival’s Facebook page for notes on each event.
Book your journey to the sonic depths at darkmusicdays.is and join the chorus at @darkmusicdays with the echo #darkmusicdays24.
