The vocal ensembleMpiri is a Faroesechoral ensemble based in Copenhagen. The members are mostly Faroese studying or working in Copenhagen. The conductor is Gorm Larsen.
From the very start, Mpiri has sought out new and inspiring music to perform. In this pursuit, Mpiri has commissioned more than 30 choral works from more than 10 composers. This means that Mpiri through the years has performed much contemporary music. However, this is not the full story of the style of Mpiri. Mpiri has also performed works by Gesualdo, Thomas Tallis, Mozart, Hassler and many other classical composers. Given the roots of Mpiri, Faroese traditional music has a firm place in the repertoire.
Projects and concerts
A project where a number of non-faroese composers are commissioned to create choral music to contemporary faroese poetry, has been started. Recordings are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2012.
Christmas Concert with Greenlandic Folk singer Rasmus Lyberth at Graabrødre Klosterkirke, Odense
2010
Mpiri had four concerts and one performance with Eivør. Two concerts in Sjónleikarhúsið, a performance at Saltsiloin, one concert at G! festival and one concert in Lille Vega in Copenhagen in the fall. All concerts were promotional for the CD Larva that Mpiri recorded with Eivør in 2009.
Mpiri recorded with Teitur
Mpiri recorded a CD with Knút Olsen choral works, in collaboration with Faroese based choir Tarira in the spring. The CD Mai Mynd was released in the fall.
Mpiri collaborated with the Faroese string quartet DORIA in three concerts
2009
Mpiri did a tour of the Nordic countries in the fall, performing Barbara with Saga Dance Art Collective. The tour started late October with two performances in Hafnafjörður, Iceland, followed by two performances in the Faroe Islands. The tour ended with a performance in the black diamond in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 9 October which is the cultural night in Copenhagen.
Mpiri recorded with the band Valravn in the spring. Review of the recording is available further down.
In the fall Mpiri went to the studio with Eivør to help her record 8 songs for her upcoming CD.
2008
Performed at kulturnatten in the Faroese house in Copenhagen.
Most of 2007 was spent recording 12 commissioned and 3 older Christmas songs to make up the CD Upp Gleðist. The CD was released in late November to early December with a small tour to Thorshavn with concerts in The Nordic House and around the city.
Participate in North Atlantic Choir Festival in Copenhagen.
2000
In the spring Mpiri performed a concert called fisk in Huset i Rådhusstræde in Copenhagen. Mpiri collaborated with the Faroese designers PAU to make new outfits for Mpiri, and a Faroese lighting artist to make the settings right. Fisk was a big success.
After participating in North Atlantic Choir Festival in Aalborg, Sunleif Rasmussen took over conducting Mpiri.
1999
Mpiri arranged the North Atlantic Choir Festival in Gladsaxe. Approximately 140 singers from Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland participated.
1998
The first ever concert was in the communal house, Galgebakken, Albertslund.
The first year Mpiri had no real projects apart from participating in the North Atlantic Choir Festival in Odense. At the festival, Mpiri made its first 'first performance' with 'Stórhvalagildi' by Tróndur Bogason
Discography
Solo Recordings
Upp gleðist
Asbest
Featured on
Mai-mynd Tarira and Mpiri singing Knút Olsen
Larva Eivør
Koder på snor Valravn
*please read the review further down on this page. Review in Danish.
* MESS rates the concert 98% which is highest rating ever given by MESS
- article in Danish
*Valravn commissioned Mpiri to participate in one song on their CD "Koder på snor". GAFFA gives it 5 of 6 possible stars mentioning that "Mpiri spreads gold over the grand finale".
- Faroese article on planet.fo
- Faroese article on planet.fo
- Finnish article about Mpiri on tour in Finland, performing at Pohjola - Norden 80 year anniversary in Turku/Åbo
