Classical music and London go together like two peas in a pod. The city’s renowned for its deep-rooted musical traditions and is home to some of the most esteemed orchestras in the world. So when Rosalía needed an epic sound for “Berghain”, the lead single off her new album Lux, she turned to one of London’s classical music crown jewels — the London Symphony Orchestra.
Why Rosalía chose the London Symphony Orchestra for her latest track
Founded over 120 years ago, the London Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s most historic musical ensembles— and an orchestra of many firsts. They were the first British orchestra to perform overseas in Paris in 1906 and also to tour the US in 1912. They’re also the most recorded orchestra in the world, with a back catalogue that spans over 200 film soundtracks including scores from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and Superman.
Conducted by Daníel Bjarnason, who also serves as executive producer of Rosalía’s upcoming album Lux set for release on 7 November, the London Symphony Orchestra brings its legendary sound to the Spanish singer’s groundbreaking new track “Berghain”.
Behind Rosalía’s Berghain: Baroque inspirations and surprise collaborations
“Berghain” draws inspiration from the fast, dramatic string sounds of the Italian Baroque era but with Rosalía’s own experimental twist. Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the song’s classical arrangement taps into the rhythmic intensity of works by Vivaldi — you might have heard of his famous Four Seasons or Bassoon Concerto in E Minor.
True to her revolutionary spirit, Rosalía fuses the classical string arrangements by LSO with the sounds of youth choir Escolania de Montserrat and her own operatic vocals (sung in German, mind you). And just when you think there’s nowhere else for the song to go, Björk and Yves Tumor add dreamy, art pop vibes with experimental, almost psychedelic electronic sounds. It’s the ultimate musical flex that reminds us why Rosalía is one of today’s most compelling artists.
Where can you listen to the London Symphony Orchestra?
London Symphony Orchestra perform primarily inside one of London’s most prestigious classical music venues: the Barbican Centre.