Björk’s work yet receives another tribute, this time by way of the Sydney Chamber Choir directed by Paul Stanhope and Naomi Crellin with The Idea of North for Going Bjork at the Sydney Recital Hall in Australia. The a capella event also showcases Scandinavian classical and contemporary composers The Real Group, Knut Nystedt, Jan Sandström and ABBA.
What’s more, the program will premiere a new piece of work by Australian composer Dan Walker exploring the sound of Icelandic Sigur Rós, scored for voices and bowed electric guitar.
The event came to fruition after a BBQ chat on Icelandic music between Stanhope and Crellin.
“Björk is a true artist in that she loves to subvert expectations,” said Stanhope. “Her stylistic versatility comes across really strongly in her songs which draw from various sources as far and wide as big band through to Icelandic folks source,” he continued.
The main focus for Crellin and Stanhope is Björk’s album Medulla, comprised entirely of singing and human vocal sounds. Crellin will be joined by The Idea of North members Sally Whitwell and Dan Walker.
And as for Walker, his focus will be Sigur Ros.
“The song I have chosen, "Starálfur," in its original guise not only features the regular members of the band, but also the string quartet Amiina,” Walker explains. “ I have attempted to represent both of these in the choral writing; The Idea of North and the Sydney Chamber Choir sharing the roles and responsibilities of singing the Icelandic text and providing instrumental accompaniment, only truly coming together in the final moments of the work.”
Watch below as The Idea Of North perform an a capella "Smile."
