Jóhann Jóhannsson - Englaborn feat. Iskra String Quartet (Live at The Reich Effect Festival, Cork)

Iskra means 'a spark' to ignite. 

Iskra is a collaborative group of string players who enjoy making music together regardless of genre. The quartet has travelled extensively across Europe with Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson, performing at various prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Steve Reich 75th Birthday celebrations for the Barbican, London and Cork Opera House, Ireland. A highlight includes performances of 'The Miners' Hymns' collaboration with American artist film maker Bill Morrison.

Iskra has also enjoyed working closely with pianist/composer Olafur Arnalds. A concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and European tour led to an invitation to perform at the sold out launch of the album “For Now I Am Winter’ (Mercury Classics 2013) at the Barbican Concert Hall accompanied by the Britten Sinfonia conducted by Andre de Ridder.

The quartet’s work with producer Jamie xx featured on the No. 1 best selling album by The xx entitled ‘Coexist’ (Young Turks/XL 2012). Recently Iskra contributed strings to Jamie's score for Tree Of Codes, a contemporary ballet created with choreographer Wayne McGregor and visual artist Olafur Eliasson for the Manchester International Festival.

Iskra’s collaborations with composer Alex Baranowski have featured on the soundtracks to the twice BAFTA nominated film McCullin (David Morris and Jacqui Morris, 2013) and for Sir Nicholas Hytner’s production of Hamlet at the National Theatre, London starring Rory Kinnear.

In 2007 Iskra were commissioned by Radiohead and XL Recordings to create a string quartet remix of their song ‘The Reckoner’ as part of the promotion of the album ‘In Rainbows’ (XL 2007).

Other highlights include collaborations with artists such as Vampire Weekend, Sufjan Stevens, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Katie Melua, Duke Special, My Brightest Diamond and composers Dustin O'Halloran and David Julyan. Recently Iskra performed as a trio alongside The Lone Bellow on Later...with Jools Holland (BBC Two).

Their forthcoming album celebrates their 10th anniversary and includes contributions from composers Johann Johannsson, Olafur Arnalds, David Julyan, Peter Gregson, Alex Baranowski, Isobel Waller-Bridge, Luke Anthony and Paul Frith.


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