post rock / opera
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I guess I don't have to introduce Danish post rock masterminds Efterklang to most of our readers. They have been around for quite some time now and they have always been keen on delivering high quality music with a flair for experiment. For this album, they cooperated with Danish composer Karsten Fundal, who has made soundtracks for movies as well as orchestral pieces and chamber music. Yet, Kundal too seems to have this urge to experiment and isn't weary of cooperating with pop and rock musicians either. Together, they wrote this opera, performed by Efterklang and The Happy Hopeless Orchestra. The lyrics were written by poet Ursula Andkjaer Olsen and vocalised by a number of opera singers. Yes, you can say that this is quite an ambitious project.
Perhaps it's safe to say that this a modern opera as there are little to no post rock passages present. So don't expect the usual set up of guitars, drums, bass and synths. There are plenty of soundscapes, that's true, but for this album, you might as well simply compare them to their classical counterparts like cellos, violins, horns and so on. When I first listened to this album, I couldn't go much further than utter the phrase "ambient inspired opera" and even now, after several listens, I still stick with that one. Unlike most operas I've heard in my life, this one lacks the overwhelming bombast. It seems to take on quite a minimal and often electronic approach and I can definitely appreciate that. In fact, after several listens, the album starts to grow on me, something no opera has ever managed to do.
Truth be told, I'm not really a fan of opera, but I am extremely curious about how this strange but wonderful piece will be performed live. It's certainly a genre-bending piece of work, challenging every prejudice you might have about this genre. So obviously, I do recommend this to every open-minded music fan out there, whether it's classical music, opera, ambient, jazz or post-rock. You just might have opened a door to a whole new world of musical discoveries. Personally, I like opening doors like that, and I also like this album. Now, I'm looking forward to a concert. I'm sure it will be nothing short of majestic.
Serge
Perhaps it's safe to say that this a modern opera as there are little to no post rock passages present. So don't expect the usual set up of guitars, drums, bass and synths. There are plenty of soundscapes, that's true, but for this album, you might as well simply compare them to their classical counterparts like cellos, violins, horns and so on. When I first listened to this album, I couldn't go much further than utter the phrase "ambient inspired opera" and even now, after several listens, I still stick with that one. Unlike most operas I've heard in my life, this one lacks the overwhelming bombast. It seems to take on quite a minimal and often electronic approach and I can definitely appreciate that. In fact, after several listens, the album starts to grow on me, something no opera has ever managed to do.
Truth be told, I'm not really a fan of opera, but I am extremely curious about how this strange but wonderful piece will be performed live. It's certainly a genre-bending piece of work, challenging every prejudice you might have about this genre. So obviously, I do recommend this to every open-minded music fan out there, whether it's classical music, opera, ambient, jazz or post-rock. You just might have opened a door to a whole new world of musical discoveries. Personally, I like opening doors like that, and I also like this album. Now, I'm looking forward to a concert. I'm sure it will be nothing short of majestic.
Serge