Reykjavík Grapevine - Nov 2021, Page 22

Björk’s Choral
Concept Soars
Voices lift this episode of the Icelandic icon’s
‘Orkestral’ concert series
Words: John Pearson Photos: Santiago Felipe
A musician announcing plans to
“re-imagine” a well-loved body of
work in the live arena can induce
a shiver down the spine of the de-
voted fan. In anticipation of the
results? Or of dread at what might
transpire? Perhaps a mixture of
both, given the chequered history
of this concept.
This televised performance by
Björk in Reykjavík’s Harpa Concert
Hall—part of a series presenting
her songs through unusual instru-
mentation—sees her collaborate
with the Hamrahli! Choir, one of
Iceland‘s foremost choral organisa-
tions. And there‘s no need for Björk
fans to be hesitant to witness the
results, as this treatment coaxes
breathtaking new aspects out of
familiar material.
Many of the songs are taken
from her 2004 album ‘Medúlla’, a
record constructed mainly from
various sounds made by the human
voice. Björk decided not to tour the
record at the time, considering it
too difficult to recreate on stage.
But the Hamrahli! Choir, in mak-
ing 42 human voices available, pro-
vides an unmissable opportunity
to explore the possibilities of this
material.
Artist at play
Taking the stage, Björk projects a
stately presence regularly illumi-
nated by flashes of her trademark
playfulness. She swishes and sways
her blue velvet hooped dress, her
face partially obscured by a solid
brass mask-helmet that gives the
impression she’s sporting a pair of
metallic ram’s horns. But through
the metal frame it’s easy to identify
the joy of someone doing exactly
what they are meant to be doing,
with the added glee of having just
raided the world’s most expensive
dress-up box.
Following the opening num-
ber “Show Me Forgiveness”—per-
formed solo and a cappella, as
on ‘Medúlla’—Björk is joined by
an entirely white-clad choir. The
choristers’ clothing provides the
perfect canvas for coloured washes
of static stage lighting, its visual
simplicity allowing the voices of
the performers to shine.
But proceedings are not entirely
vocal. Björk’s long-time collabora-
tor Bergur %órisson contributes
organ along with some carefully
understated beats and electronic
sonics. And Bjarni Frímann Bjar-
nason, musical director of the
Icelandic Opera, plays various in-
struments including harpsichord
on Björk‘s debut hit “Human Be-
haviour”; a quirky pass at a classic
track, surprisingly included in the
set while the choir take a breather.
The choristers are also on a break
during “Vertebrae By Vertebrae”,
when Björk’s only accompaniment
is Bjarni’s stabbing, spiky accor-
dion. The track acts as a sonic sor-
bet between choral courses, but its
slightly jarring effect does make
you look forward to the return of
the lush, gentle sounds of the choir.
And in doing so, it testifies to the
success of this format.

The night’s highlights come in the
shape of the two strongest mo-
ments on ‘Medúlla’. “Pleasure Is
All Mine”—the choir’s first track
as they take the stage—has a hyp-
notic, pure-chant aesthetic. And
“Who Is It” just feels like unbridled
joy, the smiling choristers casu-
ally sauntering around the stage
as they sing.
No easy undertaking
This isn’t the first time that the
Hamrahli! Choir and Björk have
worked together—indeed, a teen-
aged Björk was a member of their
ranks—but even given such famil-
iarity, this concert would be no
easy undertaking for any artist. A
stage packed with choristers might
seem like somewhere a song could
hide and let the massed voices do
the heavy lifting. But this format
strips songs down and lays them
bare, leaning heavily on the song-
writing and the choral arrange-
ments—both of which are largely
Björk‘s own work. Their quality and
strength form the backbone to this
performance.
Spine-tingling, but for the right
reasons.
Info: This programme will be avail-
able to view within Iceland on ruv.
is until November 7th. The last con-
cert in the series will take place on
November 15th, and will be broad-
cast live on RÚV within Iceland and
streamed internationally by dice.fm
Björk and The Hamrahli" Choir
Bjarni and Björk
Television