Photo by Nina Corcoran
Sigur Rós have an intimate North American tour lined up for the fall, but already they’re looking ahead to 2017. The Icelandic outfit has been tapped to perform three special concerts alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic next spring at LA’s renowned Walt Disney Hall.
Scheduled for April 13th to 15th, the shows mark the first time Sigur Rós have performed publicly with an orchestra since their gigs in support of their unreleased Odin’s Raven Magic over a decade ago. The band is expected to play “career-spanning sets including fan-favorites (with orchestral accompaniment) and — ‘if things go to plan’ — new, unreleased music (without orchestra),” according to a press release.
Additionally, the concerts — co-curated by Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason and LA Phil Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen — will feature the world premiere of a composition from Bjarnason, who helped conduct the sessions for Sigur Rós’ Abbey Road live recording of “Ára Bátur”. It will also include new material from frequent Sigur Rós collaborator and Amiina member Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir.
The trio of events is part of LA Philharmonic’s larger Reykjavík Festival, which is “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.”
Below, revisit the band’s Abbey Road session for “Ára Bátur”, followed by the program details for all three concert events.
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
