CRITICAL BAND is the culmination of Lemur’s decade-long exploration of physical, abstract, and ephemeral sonic spaces. Recorded by more than fifty musicians in different sites and configurations across several countries, the album exposes deep layers of sonic exploration. Complex instrumental materials are captured and filtered through different architectonic spaces, revealing a modular, site-specific composition practice. 

The album was recorded in Nidarosdomen (Trondheim), Korskirken (Bergen), Sofienberg kirke (Oslo), LiteraturHaus (Copenhagen), Notam (Oslo), Harpa (Reykjavik), and Athletic Sound (Halden) and subsequently combined, edited and re-composed by the ensemble.

The work is realized with performances from outstanding musicians from Norway and abroad:

Bjørnar Habbestad (flutes), Hild Sofie Tafjord (horn), Lene Grenager (cello), Michael Francis Duch (double bass), Dirk Bruinsma (soprano sax), Eivind Lønning (trumpet), Morten Barrikmo (clarinets), Tanja Orning (cello) and Robin Hayward (tuba), Anders Rove, Jostein Bolås Brødreskift, David Andersson, Björn Petersson, Morten Berger Stai, Kristian B. Jacobsen (double bass), Ellen Holmås, Astrid Solberg, Astri Hoffmann-Tollaas, Johannes Borchgrevink, Marianne Baudouin Lie (cello), Daniel Formo (organ) Lotte Anker, Torben Snekkestad (sax), Liza Gibbs (oboe) and Anna Klett (clarinet). Robin Hayward, Martin Taxt and Peder Simonsen (microtonal tubas). Ole Henrik Moe (violin, viola, piccolo violin and Octobass) and Kari Rønnekleiv (violin).

Recorded by Thorolf Thuestad, Bjørnar Habbestad, Lene Grenager, Thomas Hukkelberg, John Hegre, Tor Breivik and Christian Obermayer.
Edited by Thorolf Thuestad and Christian Obermeyer.
Produced by Bjørnar Habbestad and Lene Grenager.