My musical inspiration thrives best when I have very limited possibilities. When all aspects of composition are available, I tend to find it very difficult to choose one idea from another. So I need to work with very strict rules that mercilessly defines many aspects of the piece I’m working on.
This rather cold approach is in complete contrast to the process I have with the musicians I write for. Throughout my compositional process I strive to have conversations and interviews with the people behind the instrument, so I can find their artistic and human “raison d’être”.
This process of uncovering the individual person’s strengths and insecurities provides me with an extra dimension when it comes to choice of musical material – but also forces me to confront my own insecurities and challenge my own biases.
I have been commissioned to write a new Concerto Grosso for JACK Quartet and Aarhus Symfoniorkester with the generous support from the Danish Arts Foundation and Danish Composers’ Society / KODA Culture.
The 25-minute piece for string quartet and orchestra will be premiered in 2022 in Aarhus.
