I'm always "game" for the unexpected when it comes to music. And today is a perfect example of that. Bang On A Can is a contemporary classical collective based in New York City that have pushed boundaries of classical performance. The Asphalt Orchestra is the name of Bang On A Can's marching band. Yep you heard right. And talk about pushing boundaries - Asphalt Orchestra have recorded an entire album of Pixies songs. The Pixies' the popular 4AD label band that was edgy in it's own right.
Here is Asphalt Orchestra's live performance of the Pixies classic WHERE IS MY MIND (incidentally that could be the name of my biography LOL). In this video the string quartet with the Asphalt Orchestra is none other than Kronos Quartet (classical boundary pushers in their own right).
Enjoy this live video along with the Pixies version below.
Kronos Quartet are a popular contemporary string quartet. They had many works composed specifically for them by some of the top contemporary composers around the world. They also have adventurously taken on string quartet version of jazz, rock and pop music.
An ongoing crowd favorite in live performance is their cover of Icelandic "post rock" wunderkind, Sigur Rós' Flugufrelsarinn. Like all the best covers they have re-imagined this work dragging it into the realm of classical performance.
The song first appeared on Sigur Rós' 1999 breakthrough album Ágætis byrjun. It's hard to believe more than 25 years have passed since then. The groups name, Sigur Rós came about because one of the band members had a sister named Rose. "Flugufrelsarinn" translated is Savior of the Fly and the album title ætis byrjun is translated as A Good Beginning.
Enjoy both the Kronos and Sigur Rós versions below.
Todays post features the work of Performance Artist Yoann Bourgeois. His work continues to mesmerize me and keep me in thrall. This video of a work titled Passants (passers) looks at the life cycle and beautifully illustrates the passing of each generation - as one generation is ending another is beginning. It also visually describes a human life in motion even when it appears to stop. Music is by Phillip Glass played by Kronos Quartet with its kinetic repetitive motifs is perfect for this performance. Enjoy the magic, the wonder, the beauty of this performance. (fyi there is an introduction in french since this live performance was broadcast on French television.)
The "curtain call" itself is a work of performance art. Simply amazing! Enjoy!
If you liked the video above ... here are a couple more featuring the amazing work of Yoann Bourgeois.
... on being and becoming ... 