Colin Stetson, who has lent his saxophone expertise to indie royalty like Arcade Fire, Animal Collective and Bon Iver, is prepping the release of his newest project, SORROW, a reimagining of the 1977 composition by Polish composer Henryk Górecki (go-RET-skee). The record, which was recorded in Brooklyn, is streaming now on WNYC.
Stetson will support the release by performing the symphony live in concert with a massive cast of musicians. With only two shows currently on the books, we’re highly anticipating the New York City show on April 18th. A few tickets are still on sale for that one, with the only other date happening in Amsterdam on September 9th.
The show will feature…
Colin Stetson: Alto, Tenor, Bass Saxophones; Contrabass Clarinet; Lyricon Dan Bennett: Tenor, Baritone Saxophones; Clarinet Greg Fox: Drums Grey Mcmurray: Guitar Gyda Valtysdottir: Cello Justin Walter: Keyboards, EVI Matt Bauder: Tenor, Baritone Saxophones; Clarinet Megan Stetson: Voice Rebecca Foon: Cello Ryan Ferreira: Guitar Sarah Neufeld: Violin Shahzad Ismaily: Synth
Stetson had this to say about the re-working:
“We all have those moments when we experience a piece of music that transforms us, and this was one of those moments for me… Over the years, I went on to listen to this record countless times, always determined to absorb every instance of it, to know it throughout and fully. And this dedication to a thorough knowledge of the piece eventually gave way to a need to perform it. “The concept was simple, and true to the original score. I haven’t changed existing notation, but rather have worked with altering instrumentation, utilizing a group consisting heavily of woodwinds, synthesizers, and electric guitars… The arrangement draws heavily from the world of black metal, early electronic music, and from my own body of solo saxophone music. The result is an intact rendition of Henryk Górecki’s 3rd Symphony, though one which has been filtered through the lens of my particular musical aesthetic and experience.”
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