The string quintet Wooden Elephant is preparing for two special guest performances in Bulgaria, featuring two distinct projects through which the five classical musicians present interpretations of the works of Radiohead and Björk. The organizers from the Sofia Art Institute state that the first performance will take place in Sofia on September 11, and a day later, on September 12, the ensemble will be part of the "Pomorie and Friends" festival program. According to the institute's team, the two concerts offer the audience a chance to experience two completely independent projects.

The musicians are arriving in Bulgaria directly after their appearance at the prestigious Verbier Festival in Switzerland. The group's lineup includes Bulgarian cellist Stefan Hadjiev, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, who possesses solid international experience and moves with ease between classical, experimental, and electronic styles. Joining him on stage are violist Ian Anderson, who is also the author of the arrangements, violinists Aoife Ní Bhriain and Hulda Jónsdóttir, and double bassist Nikolai Matthews.

The program in Sofia is focused on Radiohead's album "Kid A," released at the end of the last millennium, a time when the band replaced guitar riffs with experimental electronics. A quarter of a century later, this music has been transformed for a string ensemble — without the use of samples or electronics, but rather through the expressive means of contemporary classical music. During the same concert, Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint," originally written for electric guitar and often associated with Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, will also be performed. In Pomorie, the quintet will present the "Björk: Homogenic" project, reimagining the Icelandic singer's iconic album into a purely acoustic experience that combines its original energy with the capabilities of string instruments.

The Sofia Art Institute describes the visit as one of the highlights of the start of the new music season. They emphasize that Wooden Elephant enjoys a reputation as one of the boldest ensembles on the contemporary scene, precisely because of their ability to blur the boundaries between different musical genres.