Amongst Sigur Rós’ upcoming tour dates are three special shows with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The concerts mark the first time the Icelandic outfit has publicly performed with an orchestra since 2003, but that’s not the only reason the run is a must-see. That’s because Sigur Rós have announced an impressive list of guest arrangers who’ve composed new string arrangements especially for the performances.
Dan Deacon, Nico Muhly (Björk, Grizzly Bear), and Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett all worked with Sigur Rós on fresh arrangements of both old and new material. Other collaborators include former composer-in-residence with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Anna Meredith, Pulitzer Prize winner and film scorer David Lang (The Great Beauty, Youth), composer in residence at the Opera Company of Philadelphia Missy Mazzoli, Icelandic composer Páll Ragnar Pálsson, and Daniel Bjarnarson. Bjarnarson has worked with Sigur Rós before, having conducted the recording session for “Ára Bátur” off the band’s 2008 album Með suð í eyrum…
Taking place April 13th, 14th, and 15th, the trio of unique concerts will each be opened by a different symphonic and choral program. Bjarnason will premiere his new violin concerto performed by Pekka Kuusisto, and a new work by longtime Sigur Rós collaborator Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir of Amiina will also be performed. You can find the complete program schedule for each night below.
Program Details:
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Sigur Rós
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík
Pekka Kuusisto, violin (April 13th)
Vikingur Ólafsson, piano (April 14th)
James McVinnie, organ (April 15th)
Each program preceded by Nordic Affect chamber music program.
Program 1 (April 13th):
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík (a capella choral works TBD)
Hlynur Aðils VILMARSSON BD
Daníel BJARNASON Violin Concerto (LA Phil commission; world premiere) Pekka Kuusisto, violin
Daníel BJARNASON Emergence (US premiere)
Sigur Rós works
Program 2 (April 14th):
Schola Cantorum Reykjavík (a capella choral works TBD)
Anna THORVALDSDOTTIR Airiality
Haukur TÓMASSON Piano Concerto (LA Phil co-commission; U.S. premiere)
Vikingur Ólafsson, piano
Sigur Rós works
Program 3 (April 15th):
Schola Cantorum (a capella choral works TBD)
María Huld Markan SIGFÚSDÓTTIR Aequora
LEIFS Organ Concerto
James McVinnie, organ
Sigur Rós works
Update January 18th: As noted above, the debut of Bjarnason commissioned violin concerto for Kuusisto has been removed from the schedule. It will now occur on Tuesday, August 22nd at the Hollywood Bowl with conducter Gustavo Dudamel.
The Philharmonic shows come at the beginning of Sigur Rós’ upcoming tour schedule. Find their complete itinerary, which includes spots at Hangout and Boston Calling, below.
Sigur Rós 2017 Tour Dates:
04/03 – Mexico City, MX @ National Auditorium
04/04 – Mexico City, MX @ National Auditorium
04/07 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
04/08 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
04/11 – Irvine, CA @ Bren Events Center
04/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall *
04/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall *
04/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall *
05/20 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Music Festival
05/21 – New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
05/23 – Atlanta, GA @ The Fox Theatre
05/25 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
05/26-28 – Boston, MA @ Boston Calling
05/28 – Toronto, ON @ TD Echo Beach
05/30 – Montreal, QC @ Place des Arts
06/02 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre
06/03 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
06/04 – Columbus, OH @ Palace Theatre
06/05 – St Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House
06/07 – Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
06/09 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
06/10 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
06/12 – Nashville, TN @ Andrew Jackson Hall
06/13 – Louisville, KY @ Louisville Palace Theatre
06/15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
06/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts
06/17 – Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium
