if power asks why (2012)
IF POWER ASKS WHY
ANDREA PELLEGRINI/TANJA ZAPOLSKI/MARTIN HALL
LP/CD
OCTOBER 2012
PANOPTIKON (OPTIK 25)
Nominated for the Danish National Radio’s P2 Award 2013
If Power Asks Why features a line of (at the time newly written) Martin Hall songs performed by the mezzo-soprano Andrea Pellegrini and the classical pianist Tanja Zapolski. The Danish avant-garde ensemble Lydenskab also appears on the recordings.
The album is produced by Martin Hall and the greater part of the songs is arranged by the internationally acclaimed violinist Alexander Zapolski.
If Power Asks Why is a series of piano-based “hybrid lieder”, songs all characterized by a high degree of sombre drama – titles such as ”MILFs, Cum and Schopenhauer”, ”Rather Quotable than Honest” and ”Hope is a Lack of Information” might serve to illustrate the lyrical nature of the project.
In terms of content the listener is presented to a collection of passionate objections against the cultural imperatives of our times, in particular any kind of standardised parameter of desire. The album probably contains some of Martin Hall’s most exuberant lyrical work ever.
Andrea Pellegrini is one of Denmark’s most praised and awarded younger mezzo-sopranos. Tanja Zapolski has likewise gained great positive attention as a concert pianist performing with most Danish symphony orchestras. Hall and Pellegrini have earlier collaborated on albums such as Camille (2002), Das Mechanische Klavier (2004) and Hospital Cafeterias (2009), whereas it is the first time Hall works with Zapolski.
If Power Asks Why was released as vinyl-lp as well as cd and received production grants from Danish Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfonds Tonekunstudvalg), Danish Actors’ Association (Dansk Skuespillerforbund) and Danish Musicians’ Union (Dansk Musikerforbund).
The album was nominated for the Danish National Radio’s P2 Award 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cazcx-BhDTo&feature=youtu.be
“Excellent melodic material and brilliant arrangements … a great success from start to finish.”
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Gaffa (Denmark’s biggest music magazine)
”Martin Hall brilliantly stages mezzo-soprano Andrea Pellegrini and pianist Tanja Zapolski in a masquerade of classical lieder and perverted pop.”
Information (the Danish equivalent to The Independent)
“A masterly performed principal work!”
P6 Beat (Danish National Radio)
”Fantastic! An incredibly good record.”
DR2’s Smagsdommerne (the weekly cultural recommendations on Danish National Television)
”A deliciously decadent universe.”
Berlingske Media
”Pellegrini’s warm and enchanting voice has the capacity to melt icebergs.”
Politiken (the Danish equivalent to The Guardian)
”Give yourself the opportunity to be amazed and get this release.”
Tempelores
”Genuinely thrilling … Give it a chance, it’s definitely worth it.”
Santa Sangre Magazine
“Unique.”
Heathen Harvest
“Gorgeous … This is not something you want to miss.”
Brutal Resonance