Jóhann Jóhannsson - Virðulegu Forsetar Mp3

Jóhann Jóhannsson composed many very exceptional, impressive and stunningly beautiful solo albums such as Englabörn (2002) IBM 1401, A User's Manual (2006) Fordlandia (2008) and Orphée (2016). In my opinion, Virðulegu Forsetar (2004) was his master piece! Virðulegu Forsetar is a 65 minute long composition (in four parts) consisting of 11 brass players, organ, percussion, piano, electronics, bells and drone. This piece of music is extraordinary. Apart from its grandeur, quietness and beauty, it is a very "patient" piece of music, woven with repetition and minimalism.Virðulegu Forsetar starts with a dominant brass section and is repeated throughout the piece with subtle changes of velocity. At times, it slows down and its fanfare lowers its volume or importance and becomes or sounds quite humble. The whole brass section is underpinned by a mediative drone as if it is actually supporting the brass section.Uniting the brass sections the meditative drone unveils its dominance upon a landscape of nuance - electronics, weaving their way subtly upon the contemplative nature of the piece. At times, the drone increases its dominance to seismic scales. As Virðulegu Forsetar progresses, one could imagine that it would culminate into something grand, as most of the fanfare brass sections seem to suggest, on the contrary, as the piece nears its end, it becomes less dominant. One could liken Virðulegu Forsetar to some kind of interior or spiritual journey. The brass sections resemble movement and progression and the spacious drone/electronic parts symbolize ones actual arrival at a specific point or state … inducing contemplation. Personally, I feel that the contemplative silence during the culmination of the piece is very reflective of this … The brass sections end and silence or nothingness only remain!Virðulegu Forsetar … what an extraordinary, evocative, exceptional and beautiful composition. Jóhann Jóhannsson (19 September 1969 – 9 February 2018) May The All-Compassionate rest his soul. Amin

Thanks very much! I have all his releases and this one remains my favorite! I've just discovered that in April this year there will be a box set released entitled, Retrospective Vol. I (7 CDs). Something to really look forward too!

Beautifully written. This was the second CD of his I purchased and remains a favorite still.

very relaxing album with some amazing low low subsonic bass , at one point i thought a skip lorry was outside