Land of Fire and Ice

Full Orchestra
String Orchestra
Wind Ensemble
Vocal
Chamber
Solo Instrumental

Land of Fire and Ice was commissioned by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania String Project, led by Dr. Linda Jennings with generous support from the Sims Fund.

The Land of Fire and Ice refers to Iceland - an incredibly unique country in the northernmost reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Right at the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the country is known for its frequent volcanic activity as well as its glaciers and harsh cold climate. The raw landscape is striking and otherworldly, and with its high latitude, it is often witness to the northern lights.

This piece captures these two sides of Iceland: the impressive violence of its volcanos and geothermal activity and its serene beauty, so often illuminated during its long winter nights by the aurora borealis. To represent the amorphous glow of the northern lights, a technique called a harmonic glissando is employed by many individuals concurrently, creating a wash of delicate sound.

Grade 2
Duration: ca. 5'

Listen to a midi mockup:

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