Written in Iceland, Ciaccona draws inspiration from Iceland’s fiery, ice-filled landscapes – evident particularly in its episode displaying flageolets – as well as from Iceland’s legendary hidden inhabitants, the Huldufólk (elves).

As befits a chaconne, Ciaccona is built upon a ground bass. After being distinctly present initially, however, the ground bass of Ciaccona passes into imperceptibility. It returns to offer a glimpse of itself, well disguised, in the extroverted, drivingly motoric c...