Susanna is no stranger to a challenge. Indeed, the adored Norwegian artist has more often than not sought out musical endeavors most would find daunting to even consider (making her a natural ally and musical companion to Jenny Hval).
For her latest, she’s sought to interpret the classic poetic works of Charles Baudelaire for a modern, discerning listener. She’s set his moving words to largely stark, unadorned piano compositions, leading to the logical title for the set: Baudelaire & Piano.
BeatsPerMinute is pleased to premiere the latest salvo from the intriguing project, “The Vampire”, along with its roaming, searching video.
Speaking on her attraction to this particular work, Susanna explains, “‘The Vampire’ was one of six poems from Baudelaire’s masterpiece which was forbidden by law, and censored for being ‘obscene’ in Paris in 1857. That is interesting in itself, but I was first and foremost struck by the intensity in the poem. The vampire is a strong image of being captured in an emotional, almost abusive, chaos.“
Check the track out, along with its video, below.
Susanna’s new album Baudelaire & Piano is out this Friday, September 11 through SusannaSonata. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.
