Iceland freezes strike
OrchestrasMinutes before the players laid down their instruments, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra last night agreed improved pay rises at the state mediator’s office.
‘The Orchestra plays a key role in Icelandic musical life. It is therefore gratifying that an agreement has been reached,’ said Minister of Culture and Trade Lilja Alfreðsdóttir. ‘A strike could have had a significant negative impact on cultural life in the country.’
Indeed.
They recently released an astonishing CD, Atmospheriques, with an amazing work, Catamorphosis, by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir. Stunning music and superbly played. There really is something amazing going on in Iceland, musically speaking.
The Harpa concert hall they play in is amazing too, on several levels.
Freezes? Really? Well, I guess it is colder in Iceland than in many places on the weather-torn earth … But, really, what a pun!