Immerse in Nordic soundscapes across Glasgow

Next week, one of the world's oldest celebrations of new classical music and sound works, Nordic Music Days is set to take place in Scotland for the first time in its 136-year history.

Article Source: Nordic Music Days
Last Updated: 25 October 2024 9:43

Image: Northern Connections, credit Julias Töyrylä and Music Finland

Infusing Glasgow with stunning music and sound from 30 October until 3 November, the festival features over 200 musicians and composers from Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland – and, for the first time this year, Scotland.

From sound routes across some of Glasgow’s most iconic locations to a multi-country simultaneous musical performance - Nordic Music Days offers something for classical music aficionados and the curious newcomer alike, here's some of the festival highlights:

Apolonia, Apoloni | 30 Oct | 19:00 | Glasgow Film Theatre
Thirteen years in the making, Danish director Lea Glob’s award-winning documentary film Apolonia, Apolonia charts the personal and professional development of Parisian artist Apolonia Sokol. The film explores Apolonia’s career as she tries to establish herself in the art world at the same time as dealing with the pressures - and pleasures - of womanhood in a world dominated by the patriarchy, capitalism and war. Shortlisted in the 2024 Academy Awards – the film is a must-see!

The film’s soundtrack composer Jonas Struck will be joined by Glasgow Film Festival’s Paul Gallagher and Signý Leifsdóttir of Nordic Film Music Days for a short Q & A following the screening.

Festival Club | 30 Oct - 2 Nov | 22:00 | CCA
The CCA has long been a hub for adventurous, innovative, and experimental music making in Glasgow and for four nights across the Festival, CCA will become home to the Nordic Music Days’ Official Festival Club from 10pm. From emerging artists alongside established names to thought-provoking stillness following disco infused social commentary, each night promises new musical experiences behind every door! The programme includes performances from Catriona McKay, Chris Stout, Red Note Ensemble and Norwegian improvising group Lemur.

Word of Mouth: Phōnḗ | 2 Nov | 15:00 | Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
Experience an international musical moment as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum play host to phōnḗ, a new work for massed choirs by Finnish composer Tytti Arola. The performance in Kelvingrove will be the hub performance, with choirs throughout Scotland and the Nordic countries (and further afield) putting on their own performances concurrently. Phōnḗ is a playful work which uses old-school technology in the form of homemade tin can telephones to underline the importance and value of communication between people and cultures in the modern world.

Nordic Music Days are inviting all children, amateur, school and professional choirs in Scotland and beyond to join and add their voices. Visit nordicmusicdays.org/phone to find out more!

An Extraordinary Voyage! | 31 Oct | 19:30 | City Halls
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s programme An Extraordinary Voyage! at City Halls takes the audience on a fantastical musical journey with Maja S K Ratkje’s trombone concerto Considering Icarus (with Stephen Menotti as soloist), and through orchestral transformations in Britta Byström’s Voyages Extraordinaires, inspired by the enchanting (and impossible) journeys depicted in Jules Verne’s famous novel series.

Sound Route 1: Directly to Directly From | 30 Oct – 3 Nov | Glasgow Necropolis and Cathedral area via SonicMaps
New beginnings require space for something to form, whether the ‘something’ is physical, emotional, intellectual, or conceptual. Made up of words, whispers, vocal lines, and atmospheric electronics, Olga Szymula’s work directly to directly reflects on a litany of things that composers say goodbye to. It’s a personal and unfiltered sharing of a loss, letting go of the past, filled with illusions, abuse and pain.

Take an atmospheric autumnal walk through one of Glasgow’s most iconic locations in this geo-located sound route which will be available from 30 October to experience via headphones at any time through a smartphone via SonicMaps. There will also be a group soundwalk led by one of the Nordic Music Days Curator Team on Sunday 3 November at 11am (meeting point - outside the front of the Cathedral).

Wonder of the Night Sky | 3 Nov | 16:00 | Planetarium, Glasgow Science Centre
Experience a special edition of Wonders of the Night Sky presented as part of the Festival, featuring a 10-minute audio piece, Trioxia, by Swedish artist Girilal Baars. Audiences will be immersed in the audio-clutter of near-Earth-orbit, following which you can take in the seasonal highlights of the sky above your head in a presenter-led tour of the stars before being whisked away on a trip to the solar system and the galaxy beyond.

Afterlife (Fringe Event) | 29 Oct | 20:00 | CCA
Developed and performed by the interdisciplinary duo ONLY SLIME (Tobi Pfeil and Claudia Cox), AFTERLIFE follows two 3D-characters through an operatic fantasy computer game underworld on their desperate quest for existential meaning. Using real-time motion tracking, and hyperpop-inspired autotune vocals with electronics, the two performers on stage control two avatars in a game engine, traversing both Dantean and Final Fantasy-inspired landscapes on their existential search for purpose and understanding of their world.

Installation: Sound and Sculpture at Waterstones | 30 Oct – 3 Nov | Wed – Fri - 9:00 – 19:00, Sun – 10:00 – 18:00 | Free and Unticketed | Basement Level, Waterstones Books, Sauchiehall Street
Bringing musical moments into your everyday, Scotland’s largest bookstore, Waterstones on Sauchiehall Street is set to host Sound+Art. This set of three sonic posters allows the user to select and manipulate drum, bass and melody lines to create their own pieces. This new project is the latest in a set of works allowing users to interact with technology, art and music.

Echoes from the Edges | 3 Nov | 17:00 | Glasgow St Mungo’s Cathedral
Sound echoes off the rock, changing and fragmenting as it rolls around the space.
The final concert of the festival takes its inspiration from the series of concerts hosted in the legendary Klæmintsgjógv sea cave in the Faroe Islands each summer.

The RSNO’s Faroese Principal Trombone, Dávur Juul Magnussen, curates a programme which brings the atmosphere - though hopefully slightly less damp - of the cave to Glasgow Cathedral, for a promenade concert featuring music from the Faroes, Outer Hebrides, and Glasgow, exploring the echoes and resonances of the building itself.

Find out more about the whole programme and book your tickets now at: nordicmusicdays.org

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Glasgow Fort joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with local charities to help raise awareness of the support they can provide to people of all ages experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at Christmas.

The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026

Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.

This weekend Glasgow shoppers can win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift

This Sunday visitors to VEGA's Christmas Market have the chance to “unwrap the city” and win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift worth over £1,000!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes two new stores for the festive season

City centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries has expanded its retail line-up this December with the arrival of two new stores, offering visitors even more choice in the run-up to Christmas.

Glasgow Film Festival supports 50 next generation filmmakers across three star studded talent labs

Lab mentors and partners include Oscar-winning and nominated directors, leading animation studios, and executives from Netflix, BFI, Aardman, and Curzon.

Caledonia Gladiators launches most exclusive seat in Scottish sport in aid of GCH Charity

Scotland's basketball franchise Caledonia Gladiators has launched a unique new VIP experience – thought to be the most exclusive sporting seat in the country – in aid of charity.

Shipbuilding heritage, tall tales & Scottish cuisine make a tasty tune

Since launching in 2019, the Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner events held at Glasgow's Mharsanta restaurant have repeatedly sold out.

Dr. Gillian Shirreffs Book Signing for Elephant at Waterstones Byres Road

Gillian Shirreffs has raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she'll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13th December at Waterstones Byres Road.

Silverburn unwraps a festive December of entertainment

Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has unveiled a packed diary full of events this December, as guests get ready for Christmas.

Celtic Connections brought surprise morning gigs to coffee shops across Glasgow at the weekend

Celtic Connections surprised Saturday morning coffee goers with live pop-up gigs across Glasgow, bringing emerging artists into unexpected spaces.

Panto Pays: festive theatre season delivers economic boost

As part of Glasgow 850's Get You In Panto Town celebration, new figures reveal the significant economic contribution of Glasgow's beloved pantomime season to the city's economy.

Ring in Hogmanay with darts, dancing, and bottomless pizza

If your New Year's resolution is to have more fun, start early at Flight Club!

The oldest bar and restaurant in Glasgow unveils spectacular makeover

Sloans, has unveiled a spectacular festive transformation following a £300,000 investment that has reinvented the 228-year-old venue inside and out.

Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue

There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.

Is Glasgow Green Santa the coolest in the UK

Some visitors reckon that Santa's cousin who is currently in residence at Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green is the coolest of Santas.

Toys the season to be Jolly! Kids in Glasgow can win the entire DreamToys list this Christmas

Children in Glasgow are in for a festive treat this year, as a number of local retailers have announced they will be giving away all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.

Trust calls for the home of Scottish football to be saved from an own goal

National Trust for Scotland has added its voice to those seeking assurances about the preservation of the first ever Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Cocktails and Champagne at new Luss Distillery

The newly opened Luss Distillery has announced its first events ahead of the festive season.

Glasgow shoppers slow down for a calmer Black Friday at The Social Hub

Glasgow shoppers embraced “slow shopping” as The Social Hub hosted its Rethink Black Friday market, offering a calm alternative that spotlighted local makers.

Tis the season: Meet Home Alone inspired characters at Glasgow Fort

Christmas is in full swing at Glasgow Fort, with festive character visits, the Christmas market and family activities now underway to help get shoppers of all ages into the festive spirit.

Family run Jackton Distillery unveils bumper festive programme for 2025

Jackton Distillery, the family run Lowland distillery behind the RAER whisky, spirits and wine portfolio, has announced a packed Christmas calendar for December 2025.

First Scottish KENJI store now open at Silverburn

East Asian-inspired lifestyle brand KENJI has opened the doors to its first Scottish store as it joins the impressive brand lineup at Silverburn.

Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.

Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life

Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas

Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.

Breakout Scots star urges young people to discover new artists IRL at Celtic Connections coffee pop ups

Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.

Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!

A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!

Calum Bowie gives Barrowland call up to 2 rising stars for landmark 5th December show

Calum Bowie has invited two fresh local talents to support him at his upcoming landmark show in December at The Barrowlands!

Partick Film Festival returns in January with special anniversary screening of Rob Roy

Partick Film Festival returns in January with a range of events including a special 30th anniversary screening of Rob Roy, followed by a Q&A with the director Michael Caton-Jones.

Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience

This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Immerse in Nordic soundscapes across Glasgow

Next week, one of the world's oldest celebrations of new classical music and sound works, Nordic Music Days is set to take place in Scotland for the first time in its 136-year history.

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings