A Musical Masterpiece Inspired By The Northern Lights
There’s something about watching the best Northern Lights in the world stirring and unfurling above the landscape in the Northwest Territories that is wondrous. It’s magical and hard to put into words. It ignites a deep emotion—just as hard to describe—both powerful and poignant. Somehow, it makes all of the daily distractions melt away.
For some, viewing the way the Northern sky comes alive at night awakens the creative spirit. This was exactly what happened with Roman Zavada, a self-taught Ukrainian-Québécois pianist who penned his first composition at the age of 4.
You can’t normally see the Aurora in Los Angeles. But last March, Roman Zavada took the wondrous celestial light show to a southern California stage when he performed Résonances Boréales, an album of original music he composed just outside of Yellowknife, under the spectacular Northern Lights.
Playing to crowds in the glow of a panoramic backdrop that showcased Aurora dancing high above the subarctic NWT landscape, Zavada brought the fluorescent phenomenon he witnessed to life acoustically. His compositions are at times playful, mimicking the Aurora when it shimmers across the dome of night. Other pieces are epic in scale, building with layer upon layer of sound until reaching a crescendo that pounds with intensity to depict every Aurora viewer’s dream—the awe-inspiring coronal Aurora (coronal Aurora are the result of a geomagnetic storm, which pulsates and flows with indescribable energy.)
Zavada made the journey north from Montreal after staring at the stars one night and imagining what creative powers might be unlocked by experiencing the Aurora. Although he had never seen the Northern Lights before, he had an inkling that they would inspire him. He travelled to Yellowknife, well known for its consistent Aurora viewing opportunities, to see the lights and every night for two crisp September weeks, he sat at his piano, perched on a scenic lookout just outside the capital city in the wilderness of the Northwest Territories.
It took six people to lug the massive piano to the lookout, but it was well worth it—giving him an unimpeded view of the Aurora above the enduring surface of the Canadian Shield.
It was here that he let the Northern Lights flow through his fingers to the keys of his piano.
Zavada recorded every keystroke he made throughout these nights, improvising the notes based on the sights and sounds he experienced all around him. He soon began to feel a deep connection with the lights. “Sometimes I started playing and all of a sudden, they showed up,” he said to the CBC. “So I followed them and maybe they followed me too?”
“It’s very magical. Almost spiritual,” Zavada said. “There’s something. There’s a special feeling I can’t put into words.”
Zavada later returned to Yellowknife with a film crew to capture high-resolution, 360-degree footage of the Aurora, which he uses to accompany his concerts. He has toured across North America, sometimes playing at planetariums, where audience members position themselves below a domed screen and feast their senses on the intimate sounds and sights.
Zavada’s love of the Aurora has inspired others to travel to Yellowknife to see the Northern Lights for themselves. Two of his fans, Gayle and Helene, made their own journey to Aurora Village from Quebec after discovering his music and the story behind it. Here, they found the very piano Zavada had carved his name into, now residing in the dining room at Aurora Village. And at night, with the Aurora rippling across the sky, Zavada’s music enriched their remarkable experience. “It’s very calming. It’s really perfect for the Aurora Borealis,” said Helene. “Looking at the Aurora afterward, I can hear the music in my head. And I was like, wow, this is really amazing.”
The piano now sits unassumingly in the dining hall at Aurora Village, a stone’s throw from its magical perch above Prelude Lake.
Listen to Roman Zavada capture that special feeling on Résonances Boréales here.
Being the home of the best Northern Lights in the world is a pretty big claim, but we’ve got the facts to prove it. Before you come to see for yourself, read these 7 reasons why the NWT has the world’s best Aurora.
Inspired by the magic of the Aurora? Learn more about the best seasons to visit, the cultural importance of the Aurora, and available Northern Lights hunting tours. There is always another unforgettable experience to have under the best Northern Lights in the world.
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Member
Northern Lights Tour
Member
Northern Lights Tours is an adventure-focused tour company dedicated to providing authentic experiences just like the locals do! Our expert guides will ensure you’re in the right place at the right time to witness the stunning Aurora Borealis. We also offer thrilling snowmobiling and ice fishing trips, immersing you in the beauty of the Northwest […]...
Member
Ji Guang Tour
Member
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Member
Brabant Lodge
Member
With us, you will find a unique Northern fishing experience with no distractions. Our amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, standard queen-sized......
Member
Aurora Dream Tours
Member
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
Member
My Backyard Tours
Member
Welcome to My Backyard Tours, 100% Indigenous owned and guided Tours in Yellowknife, NWT. Year-round guided tours & winter clothing......
Member
Great Slave Lake Tours
Member
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Member
Yellowknife Tours
Member
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Member
NWT Charter Services
Member
Charter the bus. Tour the North. Explore more. Local tours, private transfers, and charter travel in Yellowknife! See below for some of our Local Tour options: Aurora Hunting (Bus or Private SUV) Aurora Viewing at Cabin and Teepee Sightseeing City Tours Bison & Wildlife Tours Waterfall & Nature Hiking Tours Art Gallery, Writing Cultural Tours Multi-Night Aurora […]...
Member
Arctic Duchess Adventures
Member
Come explore more then half a century of marine history under the Aurora!...
Member
Blachford Lodge
Member
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Member
North of 60 Aurora Adventures
Member
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Member
Raven Tours
Member
Authentic aurora and northern experiences in Yellowknife, guided by a locally owned and operated team. Raven Tours is a locally......
Member
Lac La Martre Adventures
Member
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
Member
Arctic Tours Canada
Member
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
Member
Sonny Aurora Tours
Member
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures
Member
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Member
K'iyeli Tourism Services
Member
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
Member
Destination NWT Ltd.
Member
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
Member
Arctic Chalet Tours
Member
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Member
Yellowknife Vacations
Member
We are an experienced team in the tourism industry and we provide services in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and other Asian......
Member
Bucket List Tour Company
Member
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
Member
North Star Adventures
Member
100% Indigenous owned! Experience the spirit of the untamed Canadian north with a 100% Indigenous owned tour company. Journey with an Indigenous tour company that still lives by the traditions of our ancestors. Feel the heartbeat of the land as we share the stories, wisdom, and spiritual connections that have been passed down from generation to […]...
Member
Aurora Village
Member
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Member
B. Dene Adventures Inc.
Member
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
Member
Nanook Aurora Tours
Member
Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......
Member
Namushka Lodge (1982) Ltd.
Member
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
Member
Frontier Lodge - Gateway to Thaidene Nëné
Member
Fish & Explore Thaidene Nëné Frontier Lodge. Over 60 years of legendary fishing on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, at......
Member
Trail Blazer Tours
Member
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Member
Enodah Wilderness Travel/ Trout Rock Lodge/Enodah Kennel
Member
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
Member
Scott Lake Lodge
Member
One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......
Member
Aylmer Lake Lodge
Member
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge
Member
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
If you are looking for an Aurora Experience of a lifetime in Yellowknife – the best place in the world to......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
Summer and winter packages on the Taltson River. Drive out by snowmobile from Fort Resolution or fly out from Fort......
Aurora Bus Tours is a locally owned and operated tour company based in Yellowknife, specializing in Northern Lights viewing experiences. We focus on small to mid-sized group aurora chasing tours that maximize guests’ chances of seeing the lights by actively driving to clearer skies when needed. Our tours are designed to provide a comfortable, guided, […]...