Atlantic String Machine and Sirens present a Winter's Night

Atlantic String Machine and Sirens present a “Winter’s Night” concert on Saturday, December 10 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Charlottetown.

The event will see two of the Island’s most revered classical ensembles collaborate on several pieces. “Tundra,” by the Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, captures the shimmering stillness of the season through floating melodic lines atop a gently pulsating minimalist backdrop. And Jocelyn Hagen’s “How to Survive Winter” illustrates the many moods of frost times with a musically diverse interplay between the strings and voices. It sets a rich text by poet Julia Klatt Singer that urges the listener to “wrap your body in darkness” and “carry the weight of night.”

The program will also feature individual performances by both ensembles. Audience members will be uplifted by Finnish composer Mia Makaroff’s “Spes,” which combines two texts, one in Latin and one in Sami, to spin a beautiful sonic exploration of hope. And Soila Sariola’s “Pakkanen'' will see the choir create textures using words, whispers, and body percussion that tell a story of being isolated and lost while journeying through cold and snow.

Following the theme of northern lands, Atlantic String Machine will offer an arrangement of the Swedish fiddle tune “Gladlåten.” Translated into English, the title means ‘the happy tune’ and the lilting quality of the dance will leave listeners in great spirits. Also on the program will be Canadian composer Andrew Balfour’s “Pytor’s Dream,” a stunning symphonic work commissioned for and premiered by Toronto’s Tafelmusik in 2019. And, of course, audience members will be treated to a host of other surprises from a variety of genres in classic String Machine fashion.