For mixed chorus, piano, theremin and percussion
Flights of the Angakok
for Choir, Piano, Theremin and Percussion
A large-scale ritual work inspired by the spirit flights of the Angakok — the Arctic shaman — in which time moves backward through states of consciousness, myth, memory, and the elemental voices of the North.
Dedication
To Maritha Hammeken. In memoriam.
Commission
Commissioned by Nederlands Kamerkoor, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ and Amare. With acknowledgements to National Geographic Society, Pristine Seas, and the Arctic Indigenous Peoples language and cultural advisors.
World Premiere
12 October 2023. Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Amsterdam · Yang Yang Cai, piano · Nederlands Kamerkoor · Lera Auerbach, conductor.
Libretto
Libretto by Lera Auerbach. The text freely interweaves Arctic languages and shamanic traditions in an uninterrupted stream of consciousness.
Structure
I. Solarstein — Searching for North
Opening invocation of North, land, star, soul and breath.Angakok’s First Flight: Beyond Dreaming
Solitude.II. Magic Incantation: Spirits of Light
Angakok’s Second Flight: Beyond Dreaming
Love.III. Magic Incantation: The Spirit of the Wind
Angakok’s Third Flight: Beyond Dreaming
Turning ordinary into extraordinary.IV. Dance of the Men-Bears
Angakok’s Fourth Flight: Beyond Dreaming
Artistry.V. Magic Incantation: The Spirit of the Sun
Angakok’s Fifth Flight: Beyond Dreaming — Moving Through Shadows
Deep thinking.VI. Dance-Duel of the Women-Foxes
Angakok’s Sixth Flight: Lament for Mistaking Wife for a Fox
VII. Messengers Through Time and Space
Inuksuit.Angakok’s Seventh Flight: Traces of Coming and Going
VIII. Dance of the Trapped Spirit of Boredom
Angakok’s Eighth Flight: Lost Pathways
IX. Magic Incantation: The Spirit of the Moon
X. Magic Incantation: The First Giants
Inukpasuqjuit.Angakok’s Ninth Flight: The World of the Dead
XI. Magic Incantation: The Great Sedna
The Spirit of the Ocean.XII. Arctica — The Crystal Mirror
Work Information
The Work
Flights of the Angakok is inspired by the spirit flights of the Angakok — Angakkuq, the shaman of the Arctic — in which time develops in reverse. The work grew from Auerbach’s travels in the Arctic and shares conceptual terrain with ARCTICA, Symphony No. 4.
The Angakok moves through porous realms of time, space and altered consciousness, entering the realm of Sedna, Mother of the Seas, to bring back life. The piano assumes the role of shaman, while the choir sings ritualistically, invoking spirits of nature: light, sun, wind, water and sea.
- Shamanic FrameFive states of consciousness and nine time periods.
- Arctic LanguagesKalaallisut, Inuktitut, Inuktun, Iñupiaq, Yupik, Aleut, Alutiiq, Nenets and related dialects.
- Elemental ForcesLight, wind, sun, moon, sea, ice, animals, giants, spirits and Sedna.
Listen to Work
Educational listening access to Flights of the Angakok. The video opens after the listening notice is accepted.
Libretto
Libretto and Text World
The libretto by Lera Auerbach unfolds as a continuous stream of consciousness. It freely interweaves Arctic languages, magical formulas, shamanic ritual speech, mythic beings, and English glosses.
English GuideText world and movement synopsis
I. Solarstein — Searching for North
From the rugged mountains in the East to the vast tundra in the West is a place some call the Arctic and others call Nunatsiaq — the beautiful land. The opening invokes land, the Polar Star, name, immortal soul, breath, thought, story, and the brilliant inner light of the shaman.
Flights and Incantations
The Angakok travels through five states beyond dreaming: solitude, love, transformation, artistry, and deep thinking. Between these flights, ritual incantations call the spirits of light, wind, sun, moon, and sea, alongside animal spirits, inuksuit, shadow-people, giants, and Sedna.
Arctica — The Crystal Mirror
Where Time meets Space, where Eternity is now, Time melts. The horizon shifts, but its essence remains: the North is within you — your inui, your soul. In the deepest dream, reflected in tear-shaped ice, you recognize that you and Angakok are one.
Text SourcesLanguages and advisors
Languages named in the project materials include Kalaallisut, Inuktitut, Avanersuarmiutut / Inuktun, Iñupiaq, Yupik, Aleut, Alutiiq / Pacific Gulf Yupik, Nenets, and sub-dialects of the Eskaleut language family, including Malimiutun, Unangam Tunuu, Atkan, Sireniki and others.
The project acknowledges guidance from Arctic Indigenous Peoples language and cultural advisors, including Piita Taqtu Irniq, Uuli Joorut, Lars-Emil Johansen, Suuluaraq, Apa Yatta, Galina Nanok, Tynga Tagitutkak, Ymma Selyakin, Valentina Koonooka and Victor Yadne.
Performance Notes
The November 2025 score calls for extended vocal and instrumental techniques: tongue-clicking to imitate water drops, whispered shamanic articulation, hoarse speech, screaming, improvised glissandi, waterphone sounds resembling narwhals or beluga whales, and a large percussion palette including ice drums, waterphone, stones, shaman’s drum, sea drum, whistles, tam-tam, vibraphone and glockenspiel.
Online Materials
Public links related to Flights of the Angakok. Listening is available on this page through the educational listening notice.
- Audio / VideoListen to WorkVimeo
- PublisherBoosey & Hawkes / SikorskiBoosey & Hawkes
- RentalRental MaterialZinfonia
- Project SiteOfficial Project SiteAuerbach Studio
- PremiereWorld Premiere PerformancesAuerbach Studio
- PerformanceNederlands Kamerkoor ProgrammeNederlands Kamerkoor
- VideoRehearsal VideoYouTube
- InterviewLera Auerbach on Flights of the AngakokThea Derks
Publisher and Materials
Published by Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski. Publisher catalogue and rental-material links are included below.