Posthumous albums are typically cynical, cash-grabbing affairs. Not so Banbirrngu - The Orchestra Sessions, a meditative reappraisal of Gurrumul's voice and musical legacy made by two of his closest collaborators.
Some of Gurrumul 's most beloved works have been given a soothing classical music makeover on new posthumous release Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains videos and audio of people who have died.
"How these songs have changed in our minds and how with Gurrumul having passed away, inevitably this album is a tribute. It feels very different, even though the process was begun while he was alive." But where that performance – captured on the 2013 album His Life and Music – explored the possibilities and size of the orchestra, Banbirrngu is a more contemplative experience.
Elsewhere, meditative, minimal strings support Gurrumul’s multi-tracked harmonies and gently picked guitar, giving an already transcendental voice an elevated sense of grandeur and “that timeless quality”, says Hohnen. "You need to do that with Gurrumul." "It was kind of a rediscovery of the songs, even though I knew them so well. It was a deliberate attempt to hear them in a new light," he explains.
In music theory terms, "it's called heterophonic, where basically a lot of people are singing the same melody but slightly individualistically, creating this beautiful shimmering texture"."We wanted to create that sense that these songs could go on for longer," Veltheim says. "That's how the ceremonies work in Arnhem Land, they last for hours or even days and you keep these melodies repeated over that whole period.
As always, Hohnen did his due diligence to ensure Banbirrngu had the blessing of Gurrumul's family and community. "The family have seen, for 20 years, us working with Gurrumul's material, we do it with respect — knowing the family are going to judge it and knowing that we hold in our hands a lot of responsibility."Gurrumul's music has a long history with esteemed classical music label Decca, "The masters of legacy releases," says Hohnen, and together they're seeking the next steps to further re-imagine and preserve Gurrumul's legacy.
Classicnews Gurrumul Gurrumul New Album Gurrumul Posthumous Album Michael Hohnen Erkki Veltheim Banbirrngu Orchestral Sessions Gurrumul Banbirrngu Gurrumul Orchestra Gurrumul Interview
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