Brett Dean’s ‘Rooms of Elsinore’ Featuring Juho Pohjonen Released on BIS
Today is the release day for ‘Rooms of Elsinore’ on the BIS label; a captivating new album by the renowned composer and violist Brett Dean. This album delves deep into the world of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, exploring its themes and characters through a series of five innovative compositions by Dean and all of which are inspired by Hamlet. The release features a remarkable ensemble of performers, including Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen, soprano Jennifer France, mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, accordionist James Crabb, and bass clarinettist Volker Hemken, with Dean himself performing on viola and conducting the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
At the heart of this recording is the title work, *Rooms of Elsinore*, a haunting piece for viola and piano that invites listeners on an evocative journey through the shadowy corridors of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. This composition features Brett Dean on viola, accompanied by Juho Pohjonen.
‘Rooms of Elsinore’ (2016) is an exploration of the eerie and atmospheric setting of Helsingør, the castle where the tragedy of ‘Hamlet’ unfolds. Dean describes the piece as being like “a drone flying over the castle of Helsingør, moving from room to room.” The work captures the essence of the castle’s haunted spaces, each movement reflecting the emotional and psychological depth of the play’s characters.