DEINE LAKAIEN

Perhaps this will sound somewhat biased, but when you hold any DEINE LAKAIEN release before you, the rhetorical question of whether it is interesting simply does not exist. It is a known fact a priori. In 2007, this one of the most renowned avant-garde electronic projects undertook a unique step. Ernst Horn and Alexander Veljanov conducted a tour across Germany not in their usual formation of the duo plus a group of two violinists, a cellist, and a guitarist — this time they faced a truly grand challenge: conducting a full-fledged tour with a symphony orchestra. At the tour's conclusion, this DVD was released, containing a complete recording of one of the tour's concerts, as well as a 20-minute documentary about the making of this DVD and the tour, with interviews comprising the bulk of these segments — interviews with Ernst, Alexander, and the orchestra musicians. Ernst speaks in detail about how the idea originated, how he recalled the specifics of working with an orchestra, practically relearned orchestration, what his concerns were, and at the same time, he is absolutely thrilled with the results of the collaboration with the Frankfurt orchestra musicians. Alexander discusses how the song selection for the tour was made and says a few words about the duo's recent work and his solo endeavors. The musicians' interviews are the most interesting in this case — they were dealing with avant-garde not in classical music but in electronics for the first time. Their impressions are more than positive; some even expressed the thought that such projects help attract new audiences to classical music. One could talk at length about the DVD's main content, but there is no point. It is simply a fairy tale and magic, conducted by a 58-year-old outwardly very calm man, for every sounding note belongs to him. Throughout the concert he operates several synthesizers and computers, handles all the samples, plays the piano quite extensively, and conducts the orchestra. Veljanov delivers the concert no less fantastically. This short man with a peculiar hairstyle and a face that barely changes expression during the performance, always dressed in a tailcoat, whose movements are limited to tilting the microphone stand, nonetheless possesses one of the most beautiful and emotional timbres in darkwave — and much of DEINE LAKAIEN's success is owed precisely to his voice. Songs from all albums and even some singles are performed. Did Ernst rework his songs? Speaking of songs from the last album — there was essentially nothing to rework, except perhaps adding brass parts. "Slowly Comes My Night," for instance, is built on a violin part even on the studio album. But songs from the first four albums were substantially overhauled. The shouts and whistles from the audience in a philharmonic hall look somewhat comical, though they don't seriously harm the concert atmosphere. The DVD is shot at the highest level, and the sold-out hall creates an excellent ambiance. The measured "Lonely" and the extraordinary "Slowly Comes My Night" from the latest album give way to the triumphant "Follow Me" from the duo's third disc — on the right we now see the band's guitarist with an acoustic guitar, the band's cellist is still playing a regular cello but will later switch to an electric one; he is distinguished by his trademark design around his left eye. Next is the contemplative "Madiel," an extremely rare concert piece from a 1994 single. Then "Into My Arms" from the album "Kasmodiah" — the idyll transitions into "The Mirror Men," a song from the distant year 1986, dark and eerie. Ernst transforms it into something grand and terrifying, and Alexander's performance is magnificent; the song runs for 10 minutes. Horror once again yields to lyricism — the slow and contemplative "Generators" from the 2002 album "White Lies," an even composition without emotional outbursts, unlike the previous one — and here are the DEINE LAKAIEN violinists in the foreground. Then "Away," the only song from the 1996 album performed this evening. Ernst moves to the piano, where he remains during the performance of "Over and Done" from the latest album; the band's violinists also serve as backing vocalists in this song. The hour-plus first set concludes with another storm — one of the band's biggest hits, "Dark Star" from the second album. Alexander once again demonstrates brilliant vocal prowess. And one of the violinists moves to the keyboards, not for the first time. A powerful finale, but this is only the halfway point! The second set begins with songs from the duo's debut album — "Colour-ize" and "Nobody's Wounded." And they are performed by Alexander and Ernst as a duo. On the subsequent "Mindmachine" we see DEINE LAKAIEN in the form in which they appear at regular concerts today: Alexander, Ernst, two violinists who also serve as backing vocalists and occasionally keyboardists, a cellist, and a guitarist. On "Brainfic" the orchestra returns to the stage. Having paid tribute to the third album, Alexander performs the gorgeous "Vivre" from the latest disc "April Skies." Another stunning lyrical piece, "Return," follows in turn. After performing "Reincarnation," Alexander and Ernst leave the stage and the audience gives a standing ovation until they reappear to perform "Wunderbar" and "Overpaid." Now all musicians leave the stage, but it is obvious that this is not yet the end. The second encore begins with "Where You Are" without the orchestra, but then the stage is full of musicians again — this is the finale. A long orchestral introduction plays, which transitions into keyboards to the ecstatic shouts of the audience, for this is arguably the duo's most famous song of all time — "Love Me to the End." The fairy tale lasting two and a half hours has concluded. This DVD is recommended for absolutely everyone; it is an essential addition to any collection, for this is a Masterpiece with a capital M!