The Swedish ensemble GGR Betong formed in 2014 as a tribute orchestra to the late noise musician Zbigniew Karkowski, born in Krakow in 1958. During the 80’s, he lived and studied composition in Gothenburg. As a highly complex and inspirational musician and composer, a group of local composers and musicians wanted to honour Karkowski by interpreting a piece of his heavy noise music and perform it for a new audience. A one-off gig was booked at the GAS-festival in Gothenburg, and for the opening number the ensemble played Karkowski’s massive “Doing By Not Doing” (a piece that was itself an homage to another radiator, Iannis Xenakis). GGR Betong has continued to play and has gradually built a repertoaire of both new comissions, specially written for the ensemble, and noise evergreens from the past that are turned into graphic scores and arranged for the orchestra. In 2017 GGR Betong released the debut CD ”Electronic Music For Chamber Orchestra Vol. 1”. Next to come is a release with both new commissions and classic noise works, as well as a live recording from the ensembles performance at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in 2017.

GGR Betong are:

Louise Magnusson – saw blades
Sven Rånlund – modular synthesizer
Lindha Kallerdahl – voice
Pelle Bolander – electric violin / effect modules
Barrie James Sutcliffe – unstable electronic system
Tomas Hulenvik – metal zone pedals
Emine Gray – synthesizer
Tony Blomdahl – oil barrel and spring reverbs
Fredric Bergström – conductor
Linus Andersson – sound projection
Rasmus Persson – lights