Efterklang
The Guardian
Review by Will Hodgkinson
The sight of a rock band looking smug as an orchestra plinks away behind them in a slightly embarrassed way is a scenario nobody emerges from with much dignity. Tonight’s concert, however, was an example of how a total integration of orchestral, electronic and rock elements can bring rewards.
Efterklang are a five-piece from the tiny Danish island of Als who have refused to let their lack of classical training get in the way of big ideas involving strings, brass and heavenly harmonies.
Tonight, they were recreating their 2007 sophomore album, Parades, arranged for the Britten Sinfonia by Danish composer Karsten Fundal.
Efterklang were easy to spot – they were the ones dressed as Italian futurist boy scouts. This alarming choice of outfit in no way suggested an attitude of superiority, however, and the band worked hard to do justice to the talents of the musicians they were sharing a stage with. Whatever unusual shifts and experimental turns took place, they were always held down by discipline and a strong sense of audience-friendly melody.
Of many beautiful moments, Mimeo stood out, in which a choir rose to a crescendo of military fervour that then fell away and died, to make way for a stark piano section reminiscent of the melancholic reflection of Erik Satie.
“Wow! It’s nice that you are all so quiet!” said lead singer Casper Clausen, suddenly looking like a Danish small-town boy trying to work out how he came to be executing such an ambitious vision before an enraptured audience. The music may have been grandiose, but at its heart was a group of young men marvelling at the wonder of it all.
Review from AMusia Blog
Music omh Review
Calendar
Next Production
Padmore sings Mahler
Bradford on Avon, Cambridge and London
12 - 17 May 2012
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch 4
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
01 May 2012 1:00pm
Renowned tenor, Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia for the final concert in the 2011-12 At Lunch series. At the centre of this programme is a work by British composer, Jonathan Dove, co-commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall with support from the Tenner for a Tenor campaign.
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch 4
Wigmore Hall, London
02 May 2012 1:00pm
Renowned tenor, Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia for the final concert in the 2011-12 At Lunch series. At the centre of this programme is a work by British composer, Jonathan Dove, co-commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall with support from the Tenner for a Tenor campaign.
Norfolk & Norwich Festival - Padmore Sings Mahler
St Andrew's Hall, Norwich
11 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
12 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
16 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
17 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Brighton Festival - Mahler & Schubert
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Brighton
19 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Bury St Edmunds Festival
The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds
20 May 2012 7:30pm
Britten Sinfonia returns to the festival for in 2012.
Brighton Festival - King Priam
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Brighton
27 May 2012 7:00pm
‘I have to sing songs for those who can’t sing for themselves. Those songs come from the torments and horrors that have happened. I can’t lose faith in humanity.’ Sir Michael Tippett
Britten Sinfonia at Museo Reina Sofia
Museo Reina Sofia , Madrid
28 May 2012 7:30pm
Fabián Panisello conducts his song cycle Libro del Frio with soprano Allison Bell and Britten Sinfonia
