Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
Crystalline vocals floating over minimalist synths and skeletal piano. A masterclass in slow, haunting pop that feels like a cold winter night in a warm room.
Crystalline vocals floating over minimalist synths and skeletal piano. A masterclass in slow, haunting pop that feels like a cold winter night in a warm room.
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra create music that sounds like a frozen landscape viewed from a safe, warm distance. The primary sensation is one of profound space; every note from Morten Qvenild's synthesizers or piano is placed with surgical precision, allowing the silence between them to carry as much weight as the sound itself. Susanna Wallumrød's voice is the anchor, possessing a cool, unadorned clarity that feels both intimate and strangely detached.
What truly distinguishes the duo is their ability to deconstruct familiar pop and rock standards until only their emotional skeletons remain. By stripping away the rhythmic drive and bombast of the original tracks, they reveal hidden layers of vulnerability and existential dread. It is a sound defined by the tension between analog warmth and digital stillness, creating a 'magical' atmosphere that is as much about jazz-influenced improvisation as it is about avant-garde electronic textures.
Newcomers should start with 'Melody Mountain' to hear their iconic, glacial reinterpretations of classic songs. For those seeking their original compositions, 'List of Lights and Buoys' offers a perfect entry point into their unique blend of Norwegian jazz-noir and minimalist electronica.
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra is the moniker of singer Susanna Wallumrød and keyboard player Morten Qvenild. Their style of music can be described as quiet, slow pop mixed with elements from electronica and jazz. Susanna has a very distinct, clear and cool voice that stands much on its own, only accompanied by Morten on various keyboard instruments such as acoustic piano, synthesizers and even harpsichord and church organ. The duo is mostly known for their highly personal interpretations of well known songs such as Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Qvenild is also a member in many other bands, including The National Bank, Solveig Slettahjell's Slow Motion Orchestra and his own piano trio In the Country. He is a former member of the bands Jaga Jazzist and Shining. Susanna is the sister of the drummer Fredrik Wallumrød and the pianist Christian Wallumrød, and the pianist David Wallumrød is her cousin. She also releases music under the name Susanna, and her full name Susanna Wallumrød. The duo released their debut album, List of Lights and Buoys, on the label Rune Grammofon in 2004, though work on the album began a couple of years earlier. The album was produced by Jaga Jazzist percussionist Andreas Mjøs, and Wallumrød's husband, prominent Norwegian producer and composer Helge Sten/Deathprod who has also produced albums for bands such as Motorpsycho and Supersilent. Their second album Melody Mountain was released September 2006, and contains slow, low-key cover versions of songs by various artists such as Leonard Cohen, Prince, Bob Dylan, Joy Division, AC/DC and Kiss. Their 3rd album simply called "3" was released in August 2009 and contains two cover versions - Roy Harper's song "Another Day" from the album Flat Baroque and Berserk and Subdivisions by the Canadian group Rush. Susanna and the Magical Orchestra has toured across Europe since 2004, but also in Japan, China and the USA.
Shares sparse bare, vocal jazz, candlelit, serene (signature)
Shares sparse bare, winter, ambient techno, candlelit (signature)
Shares sparse bare, vocal jazz, serene, whispered (signature)
Shares minimalism, winter, serene, whispered (subgenre)
Shares minimalism, sparse bare, winter, haunting (subgenre)
Shares minimalism, sparse bare, ambient techno, serene (subgenre)
Shares downtempo, winter, ambient techno, serene (signature)
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