# Björk Orkestral

Björk Orkestral was an "unplugged" concert series by Icelandic musician Björk. Originally announced for the summer of 2020, all concert dates were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A four-part concert series was later announced for August 2020 at the Harpa concert hall in Reykjavík, then rescheduled to October and November 2021 due to new restrictions against the pandemic by the Icelandic government. Each date featured different musicians, instrumentation and set lists and all four concerts were live streamed to raise money for Kvennaathvarfið, a women's shelter in Reykjavík. Over 100 Icelandic musicians joined Björk on stage across the four matinee performances, which were some of the first live performances with an audience by a major international singer since COVID-19 crippled the live music industry.
After the shows in Iceland, Björk embarked on a global tour of acoustic concerts, which saw her headline music festivals such as Bluedot Festival and Primavera Sound.

## Background and concept

After touring her "theatrical" stage production, Cornucopia, in 2019, Björk announced a new concert series called Björk Orkestral (originally spelled Björk Orchestral) in February 2020. The original dates were scheduled for summer 2020 in France, England, Russia, Finland and Germany, and the tour was billed as acoustic, strings-only shows in celebration of Björk's "orchestral arrangements of works so far". Shortly after these dates were announced, however, the coronavirus pandemic put a crippling halt on live concerts and Björk had to postpone the show until summer 2022.
Measures the Icelandic government took to contain the virus proved to be one of the most effective throughout the world, and by mid-May 2020 the country had slowed the spread of the coronavirus to 2 new cases a week, effectively eradicating COVID-19 from its shores.
Recognizing the unique position Iceland was in but also the devastating global economic impact COVID-19 left in its wake, along with the world-wide Black Lives Matter protests in response to the police murder of George Floyd in the United States, Björk decided it was the right time to bring her orchestral concerts to live audiences in her home country. "There are many musicians out of work right now... Many of them live by playing concerts because they no longer earn revenue from record sales." She credits her father's role in Iceland unions for her desire to fight for musician's wages. The proceeds from the concerts went to Kvennaathvarfið, a women's shelter dedicated to refugees in Iceland, though Björk revealed that due to the isolation experienced during lock down, Icelandic women in general are in need of Kvennaathvarfið's services. In addition to concert ticket sales, each matinee performances was followed by an evening of food and beverages with the proceeds also going to Kvennaathvarfið. In addition to the funds raised in Iceland, the concerts were live streamed throughout the world to raise money for charity with donations being sent to non-profit organizations in each country the shows are streamed in.
As for the concerts themselves, Björk has wanted to hold these acoustic-only shows since publishing her first collection of sheet music in 2017. 34 Scores for Piano, Organ, Harpsichord and Celeste features acoustic arrangements created in collaboration with her longtime accompanist Jónas Sen which covers her entire discography. Björk Orkestral saw Björk reunite with over 100 Icelandic musicians, Sen included, that have contributed to her studio albums and live concerts. Initially only 3 concerts were announced, but on 13 July 2020 a 4th show was added to the schedule. Each concert featured a different set of musicians and instruments and a unique set list. The 11 October show featured the strings section of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Viktor Orri Árnason, in addition to the harpist Katie Buckley. Árnason replaces Bjarni Frimann Bjarnason who was originally announced as conductor. The performance drew the bulk of its material from Björk's albums, Post (1995) and Vespertine (2001) plus the 2000 soundtrack album Selmasongs.
The 24 October show featured the 50-person Hamrahlíð Choir conducted by Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir and musician Bergur Þórisson on organ and featured songs primarily from Björk's albums, Medúlla (2004), Biophilia (2011) and Utopia (2017). Both The Hamrahlíð Choir and Þórisson featured on the album Utopia and performed on the New York and EU dates of the Cornucopia tour.
The October 31 show featured the brass section of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra in addition to the flute septet Viibra. The members of Viibra played the flutes on Björk's 2017 album Utopia and officially formed as a group to tour with Björk throughout the Utopia and Cornucopia tours. In addition to brass and flutes, the night saw American-born harpist Katie Buckley return in addition to pianist and long-time collaborator Jónas Sen. Material was drawn from the albums Vespertine, Volta (2007) and Utopia.
These concerts were held in collaboration with Iceland Airwaves, RÚV, Harpa, Promote Iceland, and Icelandair.

## Songs performed

During each concert in Iceland, Björk performed a different set of songs to fit the different musicians invited to perform with her.
* "Stonemilker"
* "Aurora"
* "I've Seen It All"
* "Sun in My Mouth"
* "You've Been Flirting Again"
* "Isobel"
* "Hyperballad"
* "Harm of Will"
* "Bachelorette"
* "Unison"
* "Generous Palmstroke"
* "Show Me Forgiveness"
* "Pleasure Is All Mine"
* "Hidden Place"
* "Cosmogony"
* "Sonnets/Unrealities XI"
* "Unravel"
* "Vertabræ by Vertabræ"
* "Oceania"
* "Who Is It"
* "Mouth's Cradle"
* "Where Is the Line"
* "Human Behaviour"
* "New World"
* "Tabula Rasa"
* "Utopia"
* "The Gate"
* "Courtship"
* "Pagan Poetry"
* "Losss"
* "Sue Me"
* "Generous Palmstroke"
* "Aeroplane"
* "Wanderlust"
* "Mutual Core"
* "The Anchor Song"
* "Jóga"
* "Come to Me"
* "Hunter"
* "Lionsong"
* "History of Touches"
* "Black Lake"
* "Mouth Mantra"
* "5 Years"
* "Quicksand"
* "Pluto"
* "Notget"
For the touring shows, Björk performs with a 22 piece string orchestra, combining songs from the 4 original Reykjavík shows.
This set list is representative of the show on July 24, 2022, in Cheshire.
* "Stonemilker"
* "Aurora"
* "Come to Me"
* "Lionsong"
* "I've Seen It All"
* "History of Touches"
* "Black Lake"
* "Hunter"
* "You've Been Flirting Again"
* "Isobel"
* "Bachelorette"
* "Jóga"
* "Quicksand"
* "Hyperballad"

### Encore

* "Overture"
* "Pluto"
* During the first show in Miami, "5 Years", "Mouth Mantra" and "Notget" were performed instead of "You've Been Flirting Again", "Hyperballad" and "Overture".
* Starting from the show in Bergen, "Black Lake" and "Bachelorette" are not performed.
* After the release of Fossora, "History of Touches" was replaced by "Ovule" during the show in São Paulo and by "Freefall" for subsequent dates.
* "Notget" was added back to the setlist after "Quicksand" starting from the show in Buenos Aires.

## Tour dates

List of 2021 concerts :
| Date (2021) | City | Country | Venue | Players | Conductor |
| October 11 | Reykjavík | Iceland | Harpa | Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Katie Buckley (harp) | Viktor Orri Árnason |
| October 24 | Reykjavík | Iceland | Harpa | Hamrahlíð Choir, Bergur Þórisson (electronics, organ) Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason (piano, organ, accordion) | Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir |
| October 31 | Reykjavík | Iceland | Harpa | Iceland Symphony Orchestra (brass), Viibra (flute septet), Katie Buckley (harp), Bergur Þórisson (electronics) | Björg Brjánsdóttir |
| November 15 | Reykjavík | Iceland | Harpa | Iceland Symphony Orchestra | Viktor Orri Árnason |
List of 2022 concerts :
| Date (2022) | City | Country | Venue | Players | Conductor |
| February 13 | Miami | United States | Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts | The Aym Ensemble | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| February 16 | Miami | United States | Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts | The Aym Ensemble | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| June 17 | Berlin | Germany | Waldbühne Open Air | Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| June 21 | Paris | France | La Seine Musicale | Pasdeloup Orchestra | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| June 24 | Paris | France | La Seine Musicale | Pasdeloup Orchestra | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| July 3 | Montreux | Switzerland | Montreux Music & Convention Centre | Sinfonietta de Lausanne | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| July 24 | Cheshire | England | Jodrell Bank Observatory | The Hallé | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| July 30 | Trondheim | Norway | Kristiansten Fortress | Trondheim Soloists | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| August 3 | Bergen | Norway | Bergenhus Festningen | Trondheim Soloists | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| November 5 | São Paulo | Brazil | Anhembi Convention Center | Fundação Bachiana | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| November 9 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | Costanera Sur | Orquesta Teatro Colón | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| November 13 | Santiago | Chile | Parque Bicentenario de Cerrillos | Fundación de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Chile | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
List of 2023 concerts :
| Date (2023) | City | Country | Venue | Players | Conductor |
| March 20 | Tokyo | Japan | Tokyo Garden Theatre | Muroya Strings | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| March 25 | Kobe | Japan | World Memorial Hall | Muroya Strings | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| April 16 | Indio | United States | Empire Polo Club | Hollywood String Ensemble | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
| April 23 | Indio | United States | Empire Polo Club | Hollywood String Ensemble | Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason |
Festival performances
* ↑ The concert in Montreux was part of the Montreux Jazz Festival.
* ↑ The concert in Cheshire was part of the Bluedot Festival.
* ↑ The concert in Trondheim was part of Olavsfestdagene.
* ↑ The concert in São Paulo was part of Primavera Sound São Paulo.
* ↑ The concert in Buenos Aires was part of the Primavera Sound Buenos Aires.
* ↑ The concert in Santiago was part of the Primavera Sound Santiago de Chile.
* ↑ The concerts in Indio were part of the Coachella Festival.
Cancelled shows
| June 8, 2022 | Moscow, Russia | Crocus City Hall | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| June 12, 2022 | Helsinki, Finland | Hartwall Arena | Russo-Ukrainian War (Hartwall Arena is Russian-owned) |
Reschedulations The tour has been marred by repeated shows' rescheduling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
* ↑ The concert of October 11, 2021, in Reykjavík was previously scheduled for August 15, 2020, September 28, 2020, April 18, 2021, and August 29, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of October 24, 2021, in Reykjavík was previously scheduled for August 9, 2020, September 19, 2020, April 25, 2021, and September 5, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of October 31, 2021, in Reykjavík was previously scheduled for August 23, 2020, September 13, 2020, May 2, 2021, and September 12, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of November 15, 2021, in Reykjavík was previously scheduled for August 29, 2020, May 9, 2021, and September 19, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of June 17, 2022, in Berlin was previously scheduled for July 9, 2020, and June 18, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of June 21, 2022, in Paris was previously scheduled for July 17, 2020, and June 25, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of June 24, 2022, in Paris was previously scheduled for July 20, 2020, and June 28, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of July 24, 2022, in Cheshire was previously scheduled for July 26, 2020, and July 25, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of June 8, 2022, in Moscow was previously scheduled for July 2, 2020, and June 14, 2021.
* ↑ The concert of June 12, 2022, in Helsinki was previously scheduled for July 6, 2020, and June 10, 2021.