MAJA S. K. RATKJE & NORDIC AFFECT
RÖKKUR

Release: 10 november 2023

Rökkur, the joint album of Norwegian composer and performer Maja S. K. Ratkje and Icelandic ensemble Nordic Affect (Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir, Marie Stockmarr Becker, Hanna Loftsdóttir, Guðrún Óskarsdóttir). The word rökkur is the Icelandic word for twilight — the hour when shadows fall, a time of transition, ambiguity, and magic. It's a careful selection of compositions that embody our vision of the ‘rökkuratmosphere’ as music of today. When ‘rökkur’ fell in pre-electric times, a space appeared for storytelling, reading, yarn spinning, singing, or even a dreamlike state of dozing. Inspired by this shared tradition, Maja S. K. Ratkje and ensemble Nordic Affect have embarked on a sonic journey allowing ‘rökkur’ to become a path for morphing and shifting between the familiar, the atmosphere from the past, and the yet to be imagined future.

Since their first appearance together at Dark Music Days in Iceland in 2019, their music making has evolved in relation to each new performance, always exploring and revealing new shades of noise and timbre. Ratkje blends her extended vocals with the Baroque instrumental sound of Nordic Affect, at times treated and re-established in real-time by the cyborg electronic extensions of Ratkje’s live electronics

The performing composer Maja S. K. Ratkje is at the forefront of the musical avant-garde. Despite its boldness and originality, her music is meant for sharing. At its heart lies Ratkje’s own voice, an open door to her individual musicianship and a constant tool for realigning her work with natural expressions and human truths.

Ratkje’s work Waves IIbwas awarded Norway’s coveted Edvard Prize and was further honoured by UNESCO and the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris. Ratkje was the inaugural winner of the Arne Nordheim Prize and was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2013. She has been Composer-In-Residence at numerous institutions and festivals, has contributed to well in excess of 100 albums and has written music for dance, radio plays and gallery installations. She is a member of the Akademie der Künste in Berlin.

Nordic Affect has been hailed as a “multi-disciplinary force of nature” (A Closer Listen), as a “gem in Iceland’s music life” (Fréttablaðið), and for “ineffable synergy between theperformers” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Founded in 2005, Nordic Affect has created a highly unique voice, which has earned the group international recognition. In 2013 the ensemble was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize and was named Performer of the Year at the Iceland Music Awards in 2014. In addition Nordic Affect has served as Reykjavík‘s Music group and was in 2018-2020 ensemble-in-residence at Dark Music Days.

Artistic director of Nordic Affect since its founding has been Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir.

Musicians:

Maja S. K. Ratkje - vocals, various objects, and live electronics

Nordic Affect:
Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir - baroque violin
Marie Stockmarr Becker - baroque viola
Hanna Loftsdóttir - baroque cello
Guðrún Óskarsdóttir - harpsichord

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PRODUCTION // OF 212

All music composed by Ratkje and arranged by Ratkje and Nordic Affect except 8 (co-composed by Frode Haltli), 11 (composed by Frida Haltli) and 2, 6, and 7 (composed by Ratkje and Nordic Affect).
Lyrics by George Herbert (5), Karin Haugane (8), and Frida Haltli (11).
Quoted lyrics by George Herbert (1 and 2).

Recorded by Jo Ranheim, Øra Studio and Dokkhuset, February 2022.
Mixed by Maja S. K. Ratkje, Svartskog, 2023.
Mastered by Karl Klaseie, Øra Mastering, 2023.
Produced by Maja S. K. Ratkje with Nordic Affect.
Cover Photos by Eva Schram.
Cover Design by Guðlaug Friðgeirsdóttir