Mina Gajić, the pianist, and Zachary Carrettin, the violinist—who perform together under the name Mystery Sonata—have recently released their debut album as a duo. Titled Aequora, the album was launched on February 28, 2024, under the Sono Luminus label.
The album features compositions by leading Icelandic composers, including Aequora by María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, First Escape by Daníel Bjarnason, Notre Dame by Páll Ragnar Pálsson, Reminiscence by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, and Re/fractions by María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir.
At the heart of the album is Aequora, a piece for grand piano and electronics that Sigfúsdóttir originally composed for the Iceland Arts Festival in 2015. The work was inspired by an excerpt from Anne Carson’s book Nox. When Sigfúsdóttir first met Gajić and Carrettin, she shared her thoughts of incorporating another voice or texture into the piece, leading to the creation of a new version with the addition of violin.
This composition is unique in that it lacks a time signature and is driven by the atmospheric qualities of the electronics. While the piano part is set, Sigfúsdóttir describes the violin as “a counterpoint to the other layers, creating tension and release.”
Reflecting on the project, Gajić commented, “Together, the music creates an alternate reality, a sound world that feels distinct in each piece and with each composer, yet shares a common thread—a kind of collective consciousness, or a community of similar ideals expressed through music.”
She also shared insights into their creative journey, noting, “Zachary and I traveled to Iceland to immerse ourselves in the landscapes and engage with several composers, delving into their works and exploring where our duo’s interests aligned with theirs.”
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