Can a book be translated into sound?

On the basis of Ursula Le Guin’s science fiction classic The Left Hand of Darkness the composer Erik Dahl has created a musical suite.

It is a journey into the universe of the book. Crisp and evocative projections add a visual dimension.

A cinematic concert experience in the borderlands between chamber music, jazz and space pop.

The music here on the highly impressive Gethenian Suite (out now via Svalka Records) is written for sextet, but Dahl and company have occasionally performed in smaller constellations.

Indeed, sometimes that is a good option as they perform the music with or without the projections depending on the situation.

1. Gethen
2. Parade
3. The Envoy
4. The Place Inside The Blizzard
5. The Foretellers
6. Karhide Prelude & Fugue
7. Orgoreyn (Intro)
8. Orgoreyn
9. Pulefen Farm
10. The Ice
11. Homecoming
12. Estraven
13. The Ekumen

Here on Gethenian Suite it is most definitely a good thing, as it opens with the white noise, statically-induced ambiance of Gethen and the playful Parade, backing those up with the delicate fire flecks of The Envoy, the ornate piano work of The Place Inside The Blizzard, the sea faring-imbibed The Foretellers, and then my own favorite track, the free flowing melodic majesty of Karhide Prelude & Fugue.

Up next is the short intro to the ornate mastering of Orgoreyn which in turn is followed by the gently encouraged upright bass work of Pulefen Farm, the magnificent and quite stellar, near 12 minute opus The Ice, with the album rounding out on the opaque Homecoming, the just heavenly divine, beautiful created Estraven, closing on the more pronounced layered jazz patterns of The Ekumen.

In that special place where jazz and classical music come together as one is where you will find Swedish composer / keyboardist Erik Dahl.

Released in 2020, the 13-track, 61 minute Gethenian Suite takes the listener on a most incredible sonic journey that sounds inspired by new form of modern era Gothic Chamber music.

Credited to The Erik Dahl Ensemble, Gethenian Suite is also influenced by melodic Swedish film soundtracks yet its core is very much centered around avant-garde classical music.

Inspired by science fiction writer Ursula Le Guin, Gethenian Suite features a number of musicians backing Eriks piano and electronics, including Anna Cochrane (viola / violin), Andreas Thurfjell (sax), Anna Malmstrom (clarinet) as well as Tove Brandt (double bass) and William Soovik (drums, percussion).

Amazon Digital Purchase Link

svalkarecords.com/erikdahlensemble-en