Aeterna Orchestra is by far the biggest project i have ever taken on.. 

it has been in the works for over ten years, and even now.. in it's 'middle stages' - represents many hundreds of hours work.  

the idea really took on a life of it's own around 2000 with the Ode to Joy recordings.  the hours i spent arranging and producing that material (the Bach and Beethoven) were wonderful, and i proclaimed loudly to everyone around me that 'someday i'm going to do a whole record of this stuff..!'

well.. i am happy to tell you that, at present.. there are no less that four consecutive records 'of this stuff' in the works.

so what is it..?

well.. it's me, re-imagining what i consider 'eternal' melodies and themes in ways that i think are interesting and fun.. and collaborating with incredibly talented people to bring those ideas to life.  for several years, i was calling this project 'Andy Happel Orchestra' - in the back of my mind.. but that never felt right.  it was during a discussion with my friend (and brilliant pianist) Ben Birkbeck, and his wife Rhonda, that the name was born. 

as the fist set of recordings is to commence in 2011, i will keep you abreast of the progress..