Bendik Giske

Anyone who has ever experienced a concert by and with saxophonist Bendik Giske knows about the quasi-religious, spiritual dimension of his art: Giske's technique of circular breathing prevents interruptions caused by pauses in breathing, creating a constant flow of sound that generates a state of ecstasy and euphoria. Giske explicitly refers to a queer theory of liberation from normativity, as well as to the self-expanding bliss of club culture. Like techno pioneer Jeff Mills (who is playing a Summer Festival concert at the Elbphilharmonie on August 19th), Giske brilliantly translates the impact of electronic music into the concert space, placing the body with its vulnerability and endurance at the center. When playing, he uses additional microphones on his saxophone keys, hands, and throat to amplify the rhythmic sounds of the body and make them part of a hypnotic soundscape. To Summer Festival, Bendik Giske now comes with his third album produced by London artist Beatrice Dillon - and plays one of three Summer Festival concerts at St. Getrud Church: a spiritual setting for a meditative high that will take Giske and his audience into spheres of sensual, deeply felt and enduring beauty.