Dreamers' Circus - A Little Symphony

The second release from Danish trio Dreamers’ Circus (after their debut EP)finds them in ambitious, expansive form and employing a string quartet and a 13-piece brass section to bring Technicolor to their compositions. A Little Symphony might not be a completely apt name, but it does make very strong connections between Nordic folk music and contemporary classical. When the horns kick in, for instance, it stirs the heart in the same way hearing Atom Heart Mother for the first time did. There’s a similar grandeur in the arrangements (by band member Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen), and the swell really does enhance the music; it’s far more than effect, it’s an important part of the piece. The band members have different styles. Keyboard player Nikolaj Busk favours more romantic flourishes that work well with the strings, while guitarist Ale Carr seems ground in a more contemporary Nordic folk style, although when he has his moment in the spotlight, he shows just how good an instrumentalist he is. The band has performed with a symphony orchestra in Denmark, a mark of where the performers are heading with their music. And the fact is, they’ve created one of the most satisfying folk/’/classical’ fusions to date. It’s largely unknown territory, but having musicians versed in both disciplines gives a good start. Considering this is still early days, the possibilities are wonderful.