Dutch alternative / pop rock singer-songwriter Anneke Van Giersbergen performed two career-spanning concerts this year in May, with orchestral arrangements of her songs performed alongside Residentie Orkest The Hague. Giersbergen has announced that these special concerts will be made available for fans all around the world to hear in Symphonized, an 11-track live record due November 16.
Having been part of so many bands throughout her career, she has taken in material from VUUR, the Gentle Storm, the Gathering and more, performing stunning renditions of these tracks.
Anneke comments: “Instead of releasing a ‘best-of’ collection to celebrate my 25 years on stage, an album with orchestral reinterpretations seemed much more interesting. Two songs of my new progressive metal band VUUR received wonderful orchestral arrangements as well. I was very surprised how much of the intensity and energy of VUUR’s heavy music is still present. Performing my music with an orchestra has been such an overwhelming experience. I am really happy both concerts were recorded and there is a chance to relive them with this live album.”
In anticipation of the release, Van Giersbergen has unveiled one song as a lead single from the live album, an orchestral version of “Your Glorious Light Will Shine – Helsinki” from VUUR’s debut LP In This Moment We Are Free – Cities.
Anneke comments: “Symphonized was recorded last May in Dutch venues 013 (Tilburg) and Paard (The Hague), as I performed alongside the wonderful Residentie Orkest The Hague conducted by Arjan Tien. The orchestra is one of the leading Dutch symphony orchestras and regularly initiates cross-over projects.
“When artistic director Sven Arne Tepl invited me to create new renditions of songs I have previously recorded, I was immediately enthusiastic. I thought it was the perfect prelude to my 25-year anniversary next year, as I made my stage debut with The Gathering in 1994. The compelling arrangements were written by Marijn van Prooijen and Gijs Kramers. Instead of a band with additional symphonic accompaniment, we chose to solely use the instruments of the orchestra and I’m very proud of the result!”
Listen to the lead single below.
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