In 2008-2009 we collaborated with Danish composer Morten Skovgaard Danielsen on several works. Several of the pieces are included in his posthumously released opera Donalds09.
We are featured throughout Act 2. Track 8 'Conversations' is a dialogue between Paris Hilton (Allan) and Che Guevara (Kristen). 'This Year I'm A Stray Black Cat' features Allan on processed Double Bass and Kristen on Piano.
Morten had a unique approach to notation. The score often used the 16th note as the beat so the the score was full of 64th notes making the score very complex. Allan remembers asking Kristen and Morten to take a walk while recording the complicated solo bass part.
Morten was a nocturnal creature who would stay up all night composing and then sleeping through the day. We would return home late at night and then rehearse with him during his residencies with us.
Donald09 can be purchased and listened to via Dacapo Records. The opera was positively reviewed by Gapplegate in November 2010.
