Bára Gísladóttir – NĀT

When I was asked to write for the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, I was told they were searching for a short, thoughtful piece which sort-of depicted the nativity scene. More specifically a piece that should portray the quiet stillness that remains after the angels, shepherds, and animals have gone home, and there is just a peaceful meditative calmness, bathed in the strange and mystical light of the star. These circumstances were something that truly spoke to me and I started to play with different ideas that eventually led to the piece NĀT. The title is in the form of a word stem that can refer to the latin natura and natus (Perfect active participle of nascor – ‘I am born’). In Danish, nat means night, which I found especially suitable. From these ideas I went on to write a simple and fragile, but simultaneously a somewhat loaded piece for choir and double bass.

The world premiere of this piece will take place in December 2021, as it was postponed due to Covid-19.