Ólafur Arnalds plays in the cupola hall in Hanover
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Sounding ginger tea: Ólafur Arnalds plays in the dome hall
No hurry: Ólafur Arnalds in the dome hall.
© Source: Polina Schneider
Hanover. Would you also hear the rugged coasts, lava fields and waterfalls if Ólafur Arnalds weren’t from Iceland? The pieces by the 35-year-old composer, producer and pianist offer wide projection surfaces that also allow for completely different associations. In any case, there is something soothing and soothing in the electronically overworked chamber music that Arnalds has now presented together with string quartet and percussionist in the rather loosely occupied dome hall.
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The music itself is never in a hurry: the basic tempo of the evening is slow throughout. Gentle melodies are often carefully stretched between shimmering chords. Arnalds isn’t shy about serving only ringing ginger tea. But he can also do much more. Under the always calm surface of his pieces there are sometimes subliminal currents, such as rhythmic shifts, which eventually develop a strong pull. This results in a rare, fascinating mixture: the music is then relaxing and exciting at the same time.
Kriegarnald in Hanover?
The Icelander also shows sympathetic stubbornness in his announcements. He doesn’t just shout “Hello, Hanover!” into the hall, but asks himself in front of the audience whether he’s actually been here before. With the help of a few shouts, he establishes that this is probably the case. “About 500 concerts ago” he may have played at Feinkost Lampe. And apparently in the music center too.
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The fact that Arnalds is now appearing in Pro-Musica’s classical concert series shows both his own stylistic range from techno to neo-classical, as well as a new openness on the part of the venerable organizer, who from now on also wants to present musicians who do not play the classical-romantic Have a repertoire with you.
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Such concerts even look different: instead of flowers on the stage, there are atmospherically arranged spotlights and luminous objects, and in addition to the classical instruments there are also electronic devices and two whimsical self-playing pianos. Arnalds fans and Pro-Musica concert-goers mix in the audience, many of whom are enthusiastic and obviously touched by the end.
Next date: On October 11, pianist Lang Lang will play with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under the baton of Paavo Järvi in the cupola hall.