MPO, Music For The Masses
Brede Rorstad is a quiet force composing, conducting and collaborating his way through his latest project the Music Population Orchestra. Last week the MPO took to the streets, their brilliant noise fighting against the din of first thursday traffic and chattering.
Photo by Amy Morisse
Read Brede's thoughts on the performance, and while you are there check out 15 a mini music sampling which makes a 15 seconds seem full of purpose and potential.
MPO opens the TBA 06 Festival with a FREE CONCERT at the WORKS, Sept 7 at 8pm.
Kristan Kennedy
From what you could make out over the excited chatter of bluehour noshers, brede and The MPO's music was sly and subtle - the kind of rhythms that insinuate themselves in your mind as your soundtrack for the rest of the evening. All of the orchestration seemed to reveal a composer and group as steeped in contemporary electronic beats as they were in traditional chamber melodies. At certain points I couldn't believe it was entirely acoustic - the effect they achieved with strings and winds recalled drum machines and synths. Their TBA opening night concert will be a great culmination to the parade across the river to the WORKS. Also - don't miss their concert at The Doug Fir on August 31st with Nick Jaina and soon-to-be fellow TBA-er, Holcombe Waller; after what I saw on 13th, I'll definitely be at both.