October 2nd 2024.
Erland Cooper, known as the "Banksy of classical music", went to great lengths to create his latest album, Carve The Runes Then Be Content With Silence. It wasn't just a matter of composing and recording the music, but also in the way he released it to the world.
Three years ago, after completing the album, Cooper made the bold decision to delete all digital copies and bury a single tape underground on his native island of Orkney. He then invited his fans to embark on a treasure hunt, following a series of clues to locate the tape.
Over a year later, the tape was finally discovered by a couple who had deciphered the clues and examined photos of rock formations that Cooper had shared. The album, which explores themes of value and patience in a world of instant gratification, was met with widespread acclaim and even reached number one on the classical music charts.
Cooper explained that he wanted people to experience the sound of the album as it had been altered by the soil over time. In fact, he even credited the earth as a co-composer. In his own words, "In early 2021, I planted the only existing recording of a new work deep in the soil of Orkney. The master tape was buried with a violin, the full score, a letter in a biscuit tin, and a special stone marking the spot."
The composer wrote the music with the help of Studio Collective and violinist Daniel Pioro three years ago. After the tape was unearthed on Orkney, the album was performed publicly for the first time at London's Barbican Hall in June 2024.
Finally, in September of that year, the album was released exactly as it sounded, after spending over a year buried underground. Its success on the charts was not only a testament to the music, but also to the unconventional release strategy. In a nod to the unique process, Cooper buried the album's award at a secret location and announced that whoever finds it first can keep it.
Cooper expressed his gratitude to his fans and record label for their support and took the opportunity to honor the late poet George Mackay Brown, who he believed would have appreciated the celebration of nature's role in the composition.
Tom Lewis, co-president of record label Decca, described Cooper as the "Banksy of classical music" and praised his ability to merge composition and performance art. He also commended Cooper's audacity in releasing the album in such an unconventional manner.
Cooper will be embarking on a tour in the coming months, with performances scheduled in the UK, Europe, and the US. Carve The Runes Then Be Content With Silence is available now on Mercury KX.
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