Last week S took placespecial projects week at Department of Music Iceland University of the Arts where students had the opportunity to delve into different musical worlds, work with guest teachers and try new ways of creating music and interacting.
This time, a variety of courses were offered that ranged from Russian Romanesque and Latin American folk music to interactive music and rhythmic interaction.
Rachmaninov's Russian romances
Singing and piano students worked on Sergeis Rachmaninov's romances under the tutelage of Alexandra Chernyshovu, emphasizing the interpretation and nuances of the music The course gave students the opportunity to delve into the Russian singing tradition and discover how Rachmaninov's music, with its strong emotions and rich soundscape, can still have a place with the contemporary world At the end, work shifted from the classroom to the concert stage, where the result was performed in front of a full auditorium.
Interactive Music
Under the tutelage of Jespers Pedersen, students worked with interactive music that took place across the premises of the music department There was an opportunity to explore various ways to create and experience music.
South American folk music
During the course, students became familiar with the geographical, historical and cultural conditions that have shaped different musical trends and styles in South America Students worked with music from different countries and practiced together works belonging to the diverse musical traditions of the continent.
Rhythmic interaction
Samuel Jón Samuelsson led a course where students gained insight into his music and works that have influenced their own composition. The focus was on music from the African musical family tree, with stops on both sides of the Atlantic, from Nigerian Afrobit and Ethiopian jazz to Afro-American funk and Brazilian samba.
The special project week was varied in terms of problems and gave students the opportunity to approach music from different perspectives, work together and try new ways.
This time we end with Sergeis Rachmaninov's words about the music:
„The music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime isn't enough for the music. “
