Björk has announced a worldwide release for Björk Orkestral With the Hamrahlíð Choir, a live album drawn from 2021 performances at Harpa Hall. Pitchfork reported that One Little Independent will issue it on physical formats on November 27.
The album first appeared in May as an exclusive at the National Gallery of Iceland. The new edition will come on LP, CD, Blu-ray and DVD, and according to Pitchfork, no digital release has been set.
Medúlla, rearranged
The record mainly gathers fresh arrangements of songs from Björk's 2004 album Medúlla. Pitchfork said the arrangements were refined over extensive rehearsals, which were possible because the COVID-19 era had left calendars empty.
Björk framed the project as a chance to revisit older material. “I could tweak older songs that i felt i hadn’t acquired experience yet how to perform live,” she said in a press release.
The 11-track listing opens with “Show Me Forgiveness” and closes with “New World.” It also includes “Hidden Place,” “Unravel,” “Who Is It” and “Where Is the Line.”
Collaborators and proceeds
Björk thanked her musical director, Bergur Þórisson, and Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir, who founded the 50-person Hamrahlíð Choir.
Proceeds from the original concerts went to Kvennaathvarfið, a women's shelter, Pitchfork reported.
Why it matters
For listeners who missed the exclusive release, the November edition makes the album available beyond its first outlet. With no digital version announced, the physical formats are currently the way to hear it.
Reporting sources: RSS: News, “Björk Announces New Orchestral Live Album”.