Alwynne Pritchard - Institutions of the Flesh (Alpaca Ensemble)

Information

Composer: Alwynne Pritchard

1. My hand describes the work of my heart
2. The Chimney Sweeper
3. Interlude 1
4. The human heart is a muscle
5. Black Is The Colour
6. Interlude 2
7. I do this, and then I do that
8. The Luckless Angel
9. And did those feet in ancient time

Alwynne Pritchard

Alpaca Ensemble

Date: 2026

Label: LAWO Classics

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Institutions of the Flesh is a music-theatre work for piano, cello, and voice, commissioned and co-created with Alpaca Ensemble, examining the relationship between the human body, voice, and social structures such as love, labour, and dissent. It reflects on the primal origins of vocal expression, tracing a continuum from early human utterances to contemporary song. The piece situates music within broader natural and cosmic forces, emphasizing interconnectedness and motion as fundamental to existence. Featuring texts by William Blake and Alwynne Pritchard, it integrates performance, sound design, and lighting, and has been presented in Norway through collaborative artistic development and festival programming.

Alwynne Pritchard (b. 1968, Glasgow) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Bergen whose work spans composition, performance, and installation, integrating music, text, costume, and video. Educated at the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Bristol, she holds advanced degrees in musicology and composition. Her internationally presented work has earned notable recognition, including a prize at the Donaueschingen Musiktage and recent award nominations in Norway. She has created commissioned works for major institutions, co-founded the music-theatre company Neither Nor, and held prominent artistic and academic roles. Her diverse practice reflects a sustained engagement with experimental music and performance.

Alpaca Ensemble is a Norwegian contemporary music group with a flexible lineup, originating from the Trondheim-based Alpaca Trio, founded in 1996 and consisting of violinist Sigrid Elisabeth Stang, cellist Marianne Baudouin Lie, and pianist Else Bø. Closely associated with composer and saxophonist Eirik Hegdal, the ensemble’s work blends elements of jazz and contemporary classical music. They have released several recordings and received critical recognition, including Spellemannprisen nominations and awards from the Norwegian Composers’ Association. Known for collaborations with composers and performers across disciplines, Alpaca Ensemble has established a strong presence in Norway’s experimental music scene.

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