Björk to release Orkestral live album worldwide on 27 November
Björk will give her live album Björk Orkestral With the Hamrahlíð Choir its first worldwide release on 27 November via One Little Independent. The album records her Orkestral concerts at Harpa Hall in Reykjavík in 2021. It will be physical only. Pitchfork
There is no streaming or download edition set for release. That decision was confirmed with the announcement of the November date.
The set focuses on new arrangements of music from Medúlla, her album from 2004. Those songs were reworked for orchestra and voices for the Harpa performances. Bergur Þórisson led the music as musical director, working with the players and singers in the hall.
The choir is the Hamrahlíð Choir, a 50-person ensemble founded by Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir. The singers performed alongside Björk across the Harpa dates. Their combined sound sits at the centre of the recording, carrying much of the harmony and rhythm around her voice.
Buyers will have four physical options: LP, which is a vinyl record, CD, Blu-ray and DVD. The album had a limited first appearance in May as an exclusive sold through the National Gallery of Iceland. The singer said at the time that the LP was available from 31 May, making November its first full release to shops around the world.
Proceeds from the original concerts supported Kvennaathvarfið, a women's shelter in Reykjavík. The shows were staged as benefits, with income directed to the organisation's work. The live album preserves those nights on record.
The Orkestral dates were part of a busy run of live work. In 2023 she announced a revival of Cornucopia, her concert and theatrical production, with live support from the flute group Viibra. Relix The Orkestral concerts were presented separately as an orchestral series.
For fans, this means the only way to hear these versions is on disc. That is unusual when most albums arrive on streaming services on day one. It puts the focus on the sleeve, the sound in the room, and listening from start to finish.
