The Journey Itself Is Home

I have always wanted to capture on video the final magical moment backstage before a Björk concert, just before we walk on stage. The intensity is incredibIe. I recently bought a new camera and filmed this on August 23, when Wonderbrass marched on stage, playing Brennið þið vitar.

I’m indepted to Ragga Gestsdóttir for editing the video to a proper size so it could be uploaded. Thanks, Ragga!

I forgot to mention that it was Brynja Guðmundsdóttir’s birthday on August 23. Brynja is a member of Wonder Brass, she plays the tuba. This time the entire audience sang for her, encouraged by Björk. Imagine ten thousand people singing “happy birthday”. It was unbelievable!

And here is a bit of a fun during Oceania at our last concert.

Here is a link to Vökuró on YouTube.

My daughter once remarked that she always feels unusually inspired to play the piano when she has had a “Mozart-kugel”. Well, my hotel in Nimes was frequently visited by Hemmingway, and not only that: I actually stayed in his room! And lo: I have found blogging suspiciously easy these past days…

We gave our second concert in the Arena of Nimes Thursday night. It was great. I think everyone was on form and we were quite exhilarated afterwards. I know that I played a lot better than on Tuesday!

M.I.A was our supporting artist. I listened to her and her group. All of them were fantastic.

We started with a song by Icelandic composer Páll Ísólfsson, Brennið Þið Vitar. It was originally composed for a male choir if I’m not mistaken. This time only Wonder Brass played it while they marched on stage. And the audience screamed…

We also performed Hidden Place, which I don’t remember having played before in public. It went very well. I have added organ embellishment to it, some of which is quite dissonant. But I think it suits the song.

All in all, a successful evening.