Polish band at one of the biggest festivals in Oslo. This is only the second such case
The AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of the City of Tychy performed on the main stage of Øyafestivalen in Oslo. The Polish ensemble played pieces from the debut album of 81-year-old Brazilian composer, arranger, and conductor Arthur Verocai. The same stage also featured concerts by The Cure and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
In the photo: AUKSO at AUKSODRONE 2019
Fot. Music Matters MK, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
AUKSO played in Oslo on Wednesday, August 12, under the baton of Arthur Verocai. Øyafestivalen is one of the most prestigious music events in Scandinavia, and in its 27-year history, artists such as Björk, Lana Del Rey, Chic, Massive Attack, Pulp, and Blur have performed there. This year's edition attracted a large audience. 80,000 tickets were sold, and among the headliners were also Lily Allen and Underworld.
Four years of efforts. AUKSO joined the project
The organizers of Øyafestivalen spent four years trying to invite Arthur Verocai. The project came to fruition thanks to cooperation with the Katowice OFF Festival, which suggested the participation of the AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of the City of Tychy. The Polish ensemble had the right experience. Birgitte Mandelid, responsible for recruiting artists for the festival, emphasized that the rehearsal recordings sounded very good and confirmed the orchestra's preparation.
The first meeting with the Brazilian musician was an unknown for the members of AUKSO. Cellist Joanna Urbańska-Mikszta admitted that before the rehearsal, the musicians did not know what to expect from Verocai. The situation quickly changed. As she reported, after the first notes, it was clear to see the composer's reaction, who gained a lot of energy during the rehearsal.
The first meeting with the Brazilian musician was an unknown for the members of AUKSO. Cellist Joanna Urbańska-Mikszta admitted that before the rehearsal, the musicians did not know what to expect from Verocai. The situation quickly changed. As she reported, after the first notes, it was clear to see the composer's reaction, who gained a lot of energy during the rehearsal.
Nearly 30 years of collaboration. The audience reacts differently
For nearly 30 years, AUKSO has collaborated with artists representing various musical genres. Among them were, among others, Krzysztof Penderecki, Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Tomasz Stańko, and Leszek Możdżer. The orchestra connects different musical communities. Its founder, artistic director, and conductor Marek Moś pointed out that the foundation of cooperation with invited artists is the ensemble's good preparation and respect for their music.
AUKSO musicians also have experience performing in front of festival audiences. Nevertheless, the reactions of young listeners, who shout and jump in front of the stage, are still different from what the orchestra experiences during other concerts. Urbańska-Mikszta noted this contrast. As she said, the members of the ensemble are not rock stars, so such audience behavior is still something new for them.
AUKSO musicians also have experience performing in front of festival audiences. Nevertheless, the reactions of young listeners, who shout and jump in front of the stage, are still different from what the orchestra experiences during other concerts. Urbańska-Mikszta noted this contrast. As she said, the members of the ensemble are not rock stars, so such audience behavior is still something new for them.
AUKSO is the second artist from Poland to perform at Øyafestivalen — in 2018, one of the main stars of the event was Behemoth. However, the collaboration with Arthur Verocai does not end in Oslo. The orchestra is also scheduled to play with him at Way Out West in Gothenburg and Flow Festival in Helsinki.
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