“When you think of “Nordic,” what comes to mind? To me it’s Northern Lights, Finnish lakes, Icelandic fire and ice, Norwegian fjords, Swedish life style.  Pristine and clear beauty. The first half of this concert centers around music by two Icelandic pop stars–singer Björk who is famous for her unique songs, renaissance voice and quirky lyrics, and Kjartan Sveinsson, pianist of the band Sigur Ros. His music seems to go back to the Renaissance time. There is nothing contemporary. It’s pure beauty. Grammy Award winning soprano Hila Plitmann joins us.  In the second half, we mount Sibelius’ famous Symphony No. 5. While working away in his composition hut in the Finnish countryside, a group of swans flew right above Sibelius’ head. Struck by sudden inspiration, he composed the famous brass theme of the last movement in his Symphony No. 5.”

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Nordic Soundscapes

Civic Center Music Hall

Experience the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights through the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's special concert event on Saturday, 5th April 2025, at 8:00pm. Held at the prestigious Symphony Hall in Birmingham, this unique musical journey promises to transcend the conventional boundaries of classical music, blending it with the rich and diverse sounds of modern Icelandic music.

Curated by the innovative conductor and composer Robert Ames, the evening will feature an exceptional programme that includes works by members of the iconic band Sigur Rós and the acclaimed composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, known for her work on the soundtracks of The Joker and Tár. This concert is a celebration of Iceland's vibrant music scene, where classical musicians frequently collaborate across genres, from soundtracks to pop and heavy metal, creating a rich tapestry of sound.

The programme will showcase arrangements by Robert Ames of Jóhann Jóhannsson's "Kanguru" and Hildur Guðnadóttir's "Ascent", alongside Geoff Lawson's arrangement of Ólafur Arnalds' "Momentary", David Handler's arrangement of Jonsi & Alex Somers' "Boy 1904", and a piece by Kjartan Sveinsson, "Der Klang Der Offenbarung des Göttlichen".

Under the baton of Robert Ames and featuring the voices of Ex Cathedra, this concert is set to be an unforgettable exploration of epic landscapes and musical innovation. Tickets are priced between £26 and £62, with a per-ticket commission of £3.50 for tickets over £15. Attendees can also benefit from multi-buy discounts and reduced prices for students, 18-30s, under-18s, and benefit recipients.

Prepare for an evening of mesmerizing music that lasts approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the fusion of classical music with the avant-garde, celebrating the spirit of Icelandic music and its disregard for genre boundaries.

Kjartan Sveinsson

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 5, 2025

Northern Lights · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Jan 7, 2023

Nordic Soundscapes · Oklahoma City Philharmonic

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