Norwegian harpist Sunniva Rødland releases When She Awakens, a bold and immersive solo album that reimagines the harp as a vessel for myth, abstraction, and modern storytelling. Featuring works by some of the most visionary composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, the album invites listeners into a dreamlike soundscape where ritual and resonance intertwine.

The journey begins with Tōru Takemitsu’s Stanza II, a contemplative exploration of texture and elements, followed by John Cage’s serene In a Landscape. Harrison Birtwistle’s Crowd introduces dense, dramatic sonorities, while Salvatore Sciarrino’s L’addio a Trachis evokes ancient tragedy in whispering harmonies. The centrepiece of the album is R. Murray Schafer’s The Crown of Ariadne, a theatrical and percussive suite that unfolds across six movements: Ariadne Awakens, Ariadne’s Dance, Dance of the Bull, Dance of the Night Insects, Sun Dance, and Labyrinth Dance (Theseus & Ariadne). Each movement conjures mythic imagery through rhythmic complexity and extended techniques.

The programme concludes with Kaija Saariaho’s Fall, a spectral and emotionally charged work that captures the essence of transformation and descent. When She Awakens is a sonic odyssey – an invitation to experience the harp beyond its traditional boundaries, shaped by Rødland’s fearless artistry and deep interpretive insight.