Visions of Venus
Marjan Hellraeth
Highly acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Wallis Bird and Spark, the Classical Band – one of Germany’s leading formations of the young creative classical music scene – join forces in a genre-bending concert experience that embraces a whole millennium of female artistry.
Running the gamut of sounds and styles, the six musicians offer a 360-degree view on the rich and colorful universe created by visionary women from Medieval times until today. Women are celebrated in all their complexity – as mothers, muses, lovers, sisters, dreamers, sirens, fighters and voices of the heart and mind.
This extraordinary collaboration of Meteor Music Award and German Music Author’s Prize winner Bird and ECHO Award winner Spark offers highly playful and imaginative Visions of Venus – served with ultimate commitment, lots of passion and a must-hear individual note.
Archaic Medieval melodies by Hildegard von Bingen melt into an indie art song by Icelandic singer Björk, a Renaissance ground by Francesca Caccini is juxtaposed with hits by Kate Bush and Tori Amos. Timeless tunes by icons such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Janis Joplin are commented by impressionist soundscapes of French composer Germaine Tailleferre or the mesmerising minimal structures of contemporary Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin. Last but not least, Wallis Bird is adding her very own spices to the project with her own songs that reflect womanhood and bow to her sisters in mind, some of whom were well ahead of their time in words and actions.
Wallis Bird – vocals & guitar
Spark – The Classical Band
Andrea Ritter – recorder
Daniel Koschitzki – recorder & melodica
Stefan Balazsovics – violin & viola
Victor Plumettaz – violoncello
Christian Fritz – piano
“It's her humour and her bold honesty that makes Bird so special.” - The Guardian
“One of the few ensembles that have the potential to convincingly combine influences from pop and dance with classical music.” - De Volkskrant
Photo of Wallis Bird: Jens Oellermann
Photo of Spark: Gregor Hohenberg