The Los Angeles Philharmonic have announced that programming for their Reykjavík Festival will include three special shows by Sigur Rós performing some of their best loved works with the orchestra. This is the first time the band will have played publicly with an orchestra since shows for their unreleased work Odin’s Raven Magic in 2002-3.
Co-curated by Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason and LA Phil Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Icelandic band will perform three nights at Walt Disney Concert Hall, playing career-spanning sets including fan-favorites (with orchestral accompaniment) and – “if things go to plan” – new, unreleased music (without orchestra).
Each Sigur Rós performance (April 13, 14, 15) will be prefaced by a different symphonic and choral program. On April 13 festival co-curator Salonen will lead the LA Phil in the world premier of a new violin concerto from Daníel Bjarnason, performed by Pekka Kuusisto. Bjarnarson first worked with Sigur Rós when he conducted the session on the band’s song “Ára Báturat” London’s Abbey Road for the Með suð í eyrum… album in 2008.
The April 13, 14, 15 programs will also include new work from long-term Sigur Rós collaborator and Amiina member Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, as well as pieces from Ann Þorvaldsdóttir and Jón Leifs. In addition the orchestra will present the U.S. premieres of Haukur Tómasson‘s piano concerto, with Icelandic soloist Vikingur Ólafsson, and Hlynur Aðils Vilmarsson‘s BD. (see full schedule below)
The Reykjavík Festival is designed as an exploration of the eclectic Icelandic music scene, highlighting the creativity thriving in Reykjavík and covering a wide spectrum of music, from chamber, choral and symphonic to pop music.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Thursday, April 13
Friday, April 14
Saturday, April 15
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Sigur Rós
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík
Pekka Kuusisto, violin (April 13)
Vikingur Ólafsson, piano (April 14)
James McVinnie, organ (April 15)
Each program preceded by Nordic Affect chamber music program.
Program 1 (April 13):
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík (a capella choral works TBD)
Hlynur Aðils VILMARSSON BD
Daníel BJARNASON Violin Concerto (LA Phil commission; world premiere) Pekka Kuusisto, violin
Sigur Rós works
Program 2 (April 14):
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík (a capella choral works TBD)
Anna Þorvaldsdóttir Airiality
Haukur TÓMASSON Piano Concerto (LA Phil co-commission; U.S. premiere)
Vikingur Ólafsson, piano
Sigur Rós works
Program 3 (April 15):
Schola Cantorum (a capella choral works TBD)
María Huld Markan SIGFÚSDÓTTIR Aequora
LEIFS Organ Concerto
James McVinnie, organ
Sigur Rós works
