Anna Von Hausswolff, "Funeral For My Future Children" - NPR Music Field Recordings

One of my most surprising discoveries of 2013 is an artfully poppy pipe-organ record called Ceremony, by Swedish singer Anna von Hausswolff. Though she doesn't consider herself an accomplished pipe organist, von Hausswolff quickly learned the instrument's power, as well as some of its subtleties.
When we learned that von Hausswolff was coming to New York City this summer, we started scouting for a church with a pipe organ that could accommodate a small video crew and some secular music. We found Christ Church, a United Methodist church on Park Avenue with a gracious staff who helped us make this work.
Once we were set for a location, we lit some candles and moved the pipe organ (not the pipes) into a position that allowed us get the best view of von Hausswolff while keeping percussionist Michael Stasiak distant enough so as not to bury the sound of her voice. In the process, we captured a beautiful rendition of "Funeral For My Future Children," a song on Ceremony originally recorded at another church - this one in Gothenburg.
Credits -- BOB BOILEN
Producers: Mito Habe-Evans & Bob Boilen; Videographers: Parker Miles Blohm, Mito Habe-Evans, Mike Katzif; Audio engineer: Kevin Wait; Editor: Parker Miles Blohm; Special thanks to Christ Church New York City; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

[@ablanketwovenfromthedungof4508]

Every time I hear this song I can't help but think it's sung from the perspective of the earth itself.

[@iloveculture100]

Some of these comments herewith words like "pretentious' and "immature" and criticism for the simplicity of the organ music. Some just didn't get it. It's a lamentation RITUAL.. and this was a short piece of expressive art. I am a musician and a music teacher. This was stunning and gave me chills...darkly, starkly beautiful. It connected me to the feelings of frustration and grief about the state of the world and wars that never end but must do so. The simplicity of the sparse notes echoing in that big space was haunting and moving ..quite intentional for effect...

[@johnmurph92]

***** Do you expect someone to listen to your thoughts after you said you don't care about anyone else's? Grow up.

[@callap8062]

What a beautiful comment. I absolutely adore this song!

[@greentaigo2552]

Anna Von Hausswolff is a master of minimalism, her music sounds so rich yet so bare a lot of the time

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@johnmurph92 I must remember to use that.

[@danchaosan5194]

Anna Von Hausswolff make me crying!!!

[@nigelground283]

Once in a while you find something like this.

[@FS-flash]

Thanks to the french extreme right protesters I discovered her and many people with me. Thanks you fundamentalists, for making her more known, you give her so much more exposure. She is amazing, wonderful music, beautiful voice!

[@IT-fk3pp]

These idiots dont know about the Streisand effect, AVH should bless them :-).

[@TheRythmandpoetry]

This action was probably not the good thing to do, neither from a pragmatic perspective nor moral. But how can you call them fundamentalists? Do you even know what it means? This is just religious people, who think that she uses a satanist imagery and therefore has not her place in their Church. Or, that church should remain a place for sacred music only and should not become a concert hall. You can disagree with that, but it doesnt make them fundamentalists

[@IT-fk3pp]

​@@TheRythmandpoetryNo one calls them personally fundamentalists, thats the way they are called in France (fondamentalistes or traditionalistes), like you would call cat a cat. Everyone knows what this means, this is just the opposite of progressist. They want to live their religion like 2000 years ago, and they claim this themselves. So, how do you define the word fundamentlist?

[@TheRythmandpoetry]

@@IT-fk3pp the way you said it, persons who want to get back to the way religion was when it was funded and never change. This is a good definition but this is not what is going on here. Just because they don't want a Satanist to sing in their church doesn't mean they live like 2000 years ago. I am not saying she is, I barely know her but at least this is what can be assumed from the images she uses and the titles of her songs.

[@IT-fk3pp]

@@TheRythmandpoetry "persons who want to get back to the way religion was when it was funded and never change" was just a definition of the term fundamentalist you were discussing. And this is what those people want. And once more, there is no satanist here, just because some mentally puzzled people want to misinterpret one verse of a song. Listen to the music and dont assume such nonsense.

[@Ring0fSaturn]

Very nicely filmed and recorded. Anna is an exciting musician and singer and the drum adds a welcomed marching aspect to this powerful piece.

[@melodymacbadger8101]

I used to confuse the heck out of her with Agnes Obel. I am completely obsessed with both of them. Anna is one of my favourites.

[@TheDoc682]

It's nice to see a pipe organ being used in this context; nice to see one being used at all, for that matter! Even if only a few of it's tonal resources are exploited. One of the other comments said it was pretentious; I'll say it's rather bold and daring without being flamboyant.

[@wolfil8019]

What a powerful voice! What powerful music! It soars with dark beauty.

[@TheBowerbird]

The most talented living musician in my opinion.

[@kelseyskywalker]

This is crazy beautiful

[@davidkzoo]

That voice.....

[@heavenwithin81]

Anna's voice is SO healing and grounding and magical for me. Thank you!

[@MichaeloooleahciM]

That was so good I had to listen to it over and over again.

[@marcoscravo5213]

É muito talento reunido numa unica pessoa. Ela transforma uma grande musica em algo simples na sua forma de interpretação, transmitindo inúmeros sentimentos. É uma grande e agradável surpresa essa encantadora e talentosa Anna

[@beatrizhonorato6266]

there is somedays in my live where all i want ir to sing out loud in a church

[@stylusfantasticus]

from an organist : excellent achievement!

[@IT-fk3pp]

Glad to read this. I am not a musician, but I read some other organist finding this very poor (technically). Anyway, the emotion and the beauty are here what matters, not the technique or the alleged lack of it.

[@ChristianFeldmann-h8s]

War reeds she use?

[@shockingguy]

To be in a room with that Sound and Voice would be most awesome

[@jessreid8846]

Truly a beautiful rendition of this song, and by far more powerful. The acoustics of the setting must greatly contribute to the beauty and majesty of this song. This version really leaves me captivated and speechless. I love it.

[@raymondkeuters7792]

One of my favourite artists of the last 10-15 years. This video is truly amazing! 🖤

[@hernanm6]

Anna Michaela Ebba Electra von Hausswolff... Sublime...!

[@Bedevere]

@4:47 I wasn't sure so I tried playing along on guitar and it appears Anna is playing the melody from Pink Floyd's Mother on her right hand; the part where he sings "Moma;'s gonna put all of her fears into you. Moma's gonna put all of her nightmares into you." Could be purely coincidence...

[@mayday02]

Holy smokes! Didn't know what to expect, but that was awesome. Truly amazing.

[@omarsobrino8411]

Fantastic recording. The acoustics of the space make it all the more powerful. Imagine, in the time before amplifiers and recording, hearing that at church. Hymn or dirge it would of be hard to ignore that power.

[@MrGeati6783]

This kind of pure art and skills is, what every human needs in their lives!

[@CynCatleesideSas]

She's the best. 🌹

[@MerchantIvoryfilms]

Absolutely incredible piece! Anna, its not my place to offer advice, but that drum and organ was amazing! You don't need guitars to carry your music or evoke feelings, your voice, that organ and drum did it all! You have an amazing gift! Hollywood will come knocking one day, ill make sure of it!

[@manco828]

Alas, Hollyweird didn't.

[@randyrand1401]

This woman is beyond amazing, she is the next better!

[@Feedurehed]

Thank you NPR ......WONDERFUL!! Head still spinning!!

[@nichellesworld1360]

With this song, I can imagine I'm wearing a BIG white long, lengthy dress with flowers magically attaching to it. Like a rainbow! And I feel like this is like a beautiful swedish ceremonial song like i've become a queen! :-D

[@abaranihei2608]

Omg i love all of this!!!! Such a heavy sound. Beautiful overall!!

[@alifyre1996]

It's enough to bring you to tears

[@DacMan777]

Stunning in every way

[@genesis631]

I listen to this at least 20 times a month.

[@KlausSgroi]

From a technical point of view, it's quite simple, almost rudimentary, but what really matters is that it's good. When a song gives you chills, you know it's good.

[@DacMan777]

Who cares about technical its what the music does that matters...

[@totophi]

The "place" being a church, where traditionally, many families have celebrated baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter celebrations. So the piece, which I understood to be a dirge, actually fits in just fine.

[@_JeffMart]

What I wouldn't give to sit in that church while they performed this!

[@jimhunter1364]

I'd go to church for this: praise the Nord

[@hollywoodpills]

This comment is excellent lol.

[@iesus68]

Only LOVE for Anna. Tons of Love

[@amarsha4]

Channeling Liz Fraser from Cocteau Twins. Love it!

[@themysticmuse1111]

I have to have this every cpl months!

[@roxieAr]

Wonderful artist! I love you Anna

[@laszlonagy4485]

It’s an absolutely amazing musical instrument. wow and thanks.

[@markuss.3979]

I love this song

[@mef83]

She just released her latest album "The Miraculous"

[@stoffelida]

Te escuché en el final de la película "Jack" de 2014 busqué en Google hasta que te encontré. Hermosa voz. Hermoso tema.

[@skyzefawlun]

The very first note her voice hit sent chills down my spine. This is fantastic!

[@mariolehmann3256]

Einfach wunderschön und beeindruckend 🥰

[@philipslighting8240]

Amazing. Heard this for the first time on Radio Paradise just 2 days ago.

[@trapananda9414]

Wow!!! es realmente deslumbrante!!!

[@darylcumming7119]

Impressive.

[@henrifanthome]

I get a "almost deja vu like" revisit to the sound and visuals of Live at Pompei, by Pink Flloyd, it might be a stretch, and then again no….. her voice is hauntingly beautiful and drum beat adds just the right balance to the organ….

[@MrGrowsontrees]

I can see that. Her music is reminiscent of Pink Floyd for me as well. I find her music to be similar to the dark and yet comforting sounds that the Division Bell provides.

[@cleggett]

So touching

[@harturo57]

This version is far more interesting than the original recording.

[@jamiewesson898]

i yo

[@СергейГончаров-ч5ц]

Is it possible not to LOVE this?

[@IT-fk3pp]

Oh yes, this is possible, look at our french catholic integrists. But satan loves it, lolll

[@linkilutz9257]

If I could marry NPR Music I would. I spend hours and hours every day on this channel.

[@CertainSongs87]

chills

[@yibaidthulin6827]

presiosa pieza....que genio Anna.

[@jasonstokes2006]

Awesome.

[@indigoneo999]

Greetings from Germany. 👍🏼

[@Joannesyoga]

Wonderful

[@sergyvolodimirov3153]

God! Angels!How talently!Abs perfection and nature fantastic!!Bravo!

[@MonkeyOnTheContrary]

Wow

[@zurapDOR]

Suddenly, this has almost become a reality... (...)

[@davidmccarthy4690]

WOW!!! That’s it just WOW!!!

[@veloaficionado5687]

Amazing

[@carl-ericbacklund7034]

I like it!

[@themysticmuse1111]

And all the saints wept

[@Brahams]

I want to hear every one of her songs played live on a real church organ.

[@wolfstalesm.chapman1640]

Poor kids...bet they were nice,... Nice tune :)

[@tuinhoofd1923]

I can't listen to the album version anymore

[@Elguitarmysterioso]

This is some good stuff

[@coltenmilford6837]

I love Sublime!

[@KekoDMatrix]

sounds realy good thx for

[@HiRNWiND]

Love!!!!

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Ah, Ceremony was my second favourite album of 2012.

[@retrogradepink]

i love organs! and this is beyond amazing. i totally cried the first time i heard this, and then had to listen to it a few more times.

[@DGpawnshop]

spiritual stuff! right on!

[@antdude]

Awesome! Where can we get this pipe organ version as a MP3? :D

[@TheTvaettmaskin]

Did you get it somewhere?

[@arabstrait1179]

Hello from Nantes!

[@ryanhomcy7759]

Holy shit

[@jaygrum]

+Ryan Homcy i'd really appreciate it if you didn't cuss on this platform thank you

[@Fullbatteri]

+Ryan Homcy Yeah, stop cussing around, you profane shit, we don't need you dirty words here. I fucking swear...if I hear you again...

[@Dave-ip7hs]

Replay it ... again? Yes.

[@tj3usa]

Yeah in the first stanza as strong as anything I have ever heard in my life. Pure intensity...great lyric, dark as can be

[@bonniebardowski]

super

[@albertomerola9127]

In questa chiesa, mi sembra che gli spiriti musicali di Nico, di Lisa Gerrard e di Terry Riley si siano fusi nel corpo e nella mente di Anna von Hausswolff..

[@ThisIsNotACigar]

Wow!

[@trauski1]

awesum

[@tj3usa]

Like a hymn by Edgar Allen Poe fantastic grand!

[@suzymambo]

Je découvre ce "phenomene" et les 2 premiers titres écoutés ne m'emballent pas. Phrase musicale répétée inlassablement....qui me lasse au bout de 2 mn. Ouverte a toutes les musiques, j'ai l'esprit curieux, libre et ouvert. Ici je n'adhère pas du tout au style qui se veut sulfureux. La chanteuse pousse des hurlements guturaux comme une louve perdue dans une sombre forêt. Une forêt de sons lugubres !

[@m.dojcinovic9806]

Et bien sûr , cet opinion très tranché n'a aucun rapport avec ce qui s'est passé en France ? :)

[@IT-fk3pp]

@@m.dojcinovic9806 Meuuuuh non, rien à voir, mais vade retro quand même :-). Finalement, c'est une histoire de goût. Quand on n'aime pas, on écoute autre chose.

[@MistolAlgarroba]

I'll bury all my children I'll carry them to death Oh, to linger in their stories Exhausted by their weight My milk is gray and bitter but I'll Carry them each day To that day, who-oh “Enterraré a todos mis hijos los llevaré hasta la muerte oh, para persistir en sus historias agotado por su peso mi leche es gris y amarga pero yo los llevaré cada día hasta ese día, who-oh”

[@harturo57]

Una versión mucho más interesante que la grabación original.

[@ResearchSoundLab]

What makes you say it's 'secular' music? Not in my opinion, Boilen - this is a hymn if I've ever heard one. And I have.

[@rubensilva8556]

I'm getting Joy Division vibes

[@ianwillard4361]

I would like to hear her do a cover of Atmosphere

[@IT-fk3pp]

@@ianwillard4361 Good choice, but a cover of decades would also be powerful.

[@jesterinagony2068]

bruh

[@magnusjohnson4502]

If it had not been for those french protesters, I would not been here and listen to this artist and this nice song.

[@IT-fk3pp]

Thanks God and them :-). Aren't you Swedish (or scandinavian, from the name?)

[@magnusjohnson4502]

@@IT-fk3pp Yes. I am from Sweden.

[@IT-fk3pp]

@@magnusjohnson4502 And you need our French extremists to know her :-)

[@ChristianFeldmann-h8s]

What reeds do you use?

[@linuxpython935]

The studio version is better, imho. But it is a really great song!

[@bunrei]

Da ascoltare un minuto prima di lanciarsi col paracadute se ci si trova su un aereo in fiamme diretti in vacanza in Sardegna

[@samjohnson3124]

did NPR pay off anna von hauswolff? mountains crave was pretty decent.

[@dustytapes]

I’ll bury all my children I’ll carry them to death I’ll bury all my children I’ll carry them to death Oh, to linger in their stories Exhausted by their weight My milk is gray and bitter but I’ll Carry them each day To that day, woah woah To that day, woah woah To that day, woah woah To that day, woah woah

[@thefimonster]

what was your first?

[@ShadowBoss0001]

Really it's a funeral dedication for the single men who decided due to unexpected death and they gave up and chose to die alone farewell my two future kids boy name Dan Balazs girl name Marta Castillo Balazs oh well