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

Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival

The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!

New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year

Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.

Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry

STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.

Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value

See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!

Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025

Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.

University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse

Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.

Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness

Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.

DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events

DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.

Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!

Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow

With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!

A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season

Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi

Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.

Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December

Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.

Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced

Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!

Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled

The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.

Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow

Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.

Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas

Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!

Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow

Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.

From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt

Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.

The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!

This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.

10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary

Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.

Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.

Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK

Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper

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.

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