Cikada, Kenneth Karlsson & Christian Eggen - Rolf Wallin: Large Bird Mask (2024) [Official Digital Download]

Commissioned by Cikada supported by the Norwegian Composers’ Fund. First performed by Cikada ensemble conducted by Christian Eggen with stage direction by Kjetil Skøien at Den Norske Opera & Ballett, Oslo, as part of Ultima festival on 14 September 2019.

We are increasingly made aware of animal species on the brink of extinction. The populations of many common birds have been more than halved in the matter of a few decades. This has led composer Rolf Wallin and director Kjetil Skøien to ask: when we exterminate the birds, do we also exterminate what they symbolise deep within us? The dream of flying, the dream of singing freely and exuberantly and indeed the very dream of freedom?

Maybe it's time to show a bit of humility? In many so-called primitive cultures, the shamans use masks to become one with the animal spirits, so that the animals can be harvested sustainably by the hunters without disappearing. Instead of masks, Cikada's musicians use their instruments to "become birds". The music they play is extracted from the song of some of the endangered bird species, stretched in time so that our slow ears can appreciate their fascinating melodic swirls. And with text and choreography they move into a larger scenic unity, with projected images and videos telling the story of these fantastic creatures and our vulnerable relationship with them.

Tracklist:
01. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 1, Seek
02. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 2, Push
03. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No.3, Sink
04. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 4, Spin
05. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 5, Stab
06. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 6, Lean
07. Seven Disobediences for piano and ensemble: No. 7, Quit
08. Dawn Chorus 1 (Improvisation)
09. Birds Within Us: I. Starling
10. Dawn Chorus 2 (Improvisation)
11. Birds Within Us: II. Nightingale
12. Dawn Chorus 3 (Improvisation)
13. Birds Within Us: III. Skylark
14. Dawn Chorus 4 (Improvisation)


Thanks to the Original customer!