Based in Aarhus and shaped by a spirit of experimentation, Ensemble Hermes continues its work with immersive, cross-disciplinary sound, most recently with a new collaboration with composer Christian Balvig. Promising a meditative, cinematic intensity, the forthcoming album Find and You Will Seek is set for release on 22 May.

For Ensemble Hermes, a chamber ensemble of seven young professional string players, the project reflects a natural extension of the ensemble’s artistic direction. As double bassist Malte Schmidt-Hemmet explains, the project grew out of earlier collaborations with Balvig. “It felt like a natural match, because the music he writes encourages attention and presence,” he says. “Balvig has written this music specifically for Hermes – for our unusual instrumentation and for the people we are.”

For Balvig, known for his compositions for a wide range of leading bands and ensembles as well as his work across film and television, the album draws on a fascination with listening as a way of being in the present moment. Referring to the recently released single The BirdSuite II – Praesentia, Balvig says: “BirdSuite is inspired by spring birds that somehow always remind us to be present when we’re walking around in our own thoughts during spring.”

The collaboration will also be brought to life in a series of release concerts across Denmark later this spring. In Aarhus and Copenhagen, the performances will be accompanied by a specially created video installation by Kaspar Vig. “We’re very excited to share the music with people,” Schmidt-Hemmet says: “With Vig’s video installation, it will be a truly immersive experience.”

Ensemble Hermes: Musical innovation, birdsong and video art

www.ensemblehermes.dk

Release concerts

27 May – Ansgars Kirke, Odense
28 May – Folkegaarden Festival, Aalborg

29 May – Gnisten, Ry
30 May – Musikhuset Aarhus (with Kaspar Vig)
1 June – Basement, Copenhagen (with Kaspar Vig)

Read the feature on issuu