Flotation Device 2025-04-06 - Anna Thorvaldsdottir

Anna Thorvaldsdottir joins us to talk about her two new premiere recordings—one for Claire Chase's Density 2036 project, the other for the Labèque sisters with Bryce Dessner and David Chalmin—as well as early influences, current projects…and Björk. We compare her visceral Scandinavian sonorism to Steve Reich’s uncharacteristically somber setting of the Hebrew traveler’s prayer that’s also just received its premiere recording. Reich’s echoes are discernible in a new work by Anzû Quartet’s Ken Thomson, while fresh improv by Adam O'Farrill, the Sam Newsome/Max Johnson duo and the Lașcu/La Berge/Hamilton trio, and a 50th anniversary look at acousmatic gems by Berio and Bayle plus an unusually "outside" track by the band Oregon, round out the playlist. Creative and improvised music from the Northwest and around the world with host Michael Schell, originally broadcast April 6, 2025.

Photo credits and annotated playlist in Comments.