FLASKEPOST

For live electronics and instrumental performers
Created for Red Note Ensemble
Commissioned by Music Norway on behalf of Northern Connection
10 min
2023

Video interview about the piece and project:


Flaskepost — message in a bottle — is a piece inspired by the ocean connecting Scotland and Norway. Based on field recordings made in the Lofoten archipelago in Northern Norway (where the composer is based) the piece is diving into the depths of the ocean, exploring the musical potential of the ocean itself as well as imagining the creatures and other things you can encounter in the depths. The piece also reflects on the ocean as pathway, both for human travel throughout the times but also for enormous amounts of plastic waste that with the Gulf Stream end up in Lofoten from all over the world. Inspired by the image of sending a cry for help and rescue with a message in a bottle.

Flaskepost — a message written on a scrap of paper, rolled up and put into an empty bottle and set adrift on the ocean; traditionally, a method used by castaways to advertise their distress to the outside world

Northern Connection is an international collaboration aiming to establish new creative links between Scotland, Finland and Norway through a new partnership of music export offices, music festivals, composers and ensembles. In its pilot phase, the project will bring together key music organisations from Scotland, Finland and Norway to commission and premiere three new works. Each country will be represented by a composer, an ensemble and a contemporary music festival. One new work will be commissioned from each country’s composer.

Concept, composition, and field recording: Tine Surel Lange
Created for and performed by: Red Note Ensemble
    Live electronics: Matthew Swan
    Flute: Ruth Morley
    Clarinet: Tim Lines
    Piano: Simon Smith
    Cello: Christian Elliott
Commissioned by: Music Norway on behalf of Northern Connection
Video inverview: Henning Askjer Lefsaker on behalf of Music Norway  
Premiere October 25th 2023, Sound Festival, Aberdeen, Scotland



Photos by Michal Sykora





© 2023 Tine Surel Lange