The work is called “TRIO”, and is written for The Danish National Symphony Orchestra, The Danish Radio Big Band and The Danish National Concert Choir. The composer sees each of the three ensembles as one super instrument, and thus the ensembles constitute the trio of the title – a “trio” consisting of approximately 200 musicians and singers. Each ensemble is characterized by a certain sound and sonorous identity and in TRIO Simon Steen-Andersen brings these various identities into play.
The composer further more brings the concept of past and present into play in the work. He integrates sound and video elements from the extensive archives of DR and thus includes old recordings of the three ensembles in the live performance.