Nyepi, A Day of Silence by Olafur Arnalds
“The most beautiful music I’ve heard….”
July 26, 2018 by 15 Comments
Bob Boilen — “It’s as if the pianos were haunted. Somewhere about midway through this Tiny Desk, as Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds performed on his electronic keyboard, two upright pianos were playing lilting melodies behind him, absent any performer at the keys. And yet these “ghosts,” along with Ólafur’s band of strings and percussion, put together some of the most beautiful music I’ve heard at the Tiny Desk, made all the more mysterious through its presentation…”
Only the Winds
October 17, 2015 by 6 Comments
Ólafur Arnalds, 28, is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Ólafur Arnalds mixes strings and piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from ambient/electronic to pop.
- His official web site can be found here.
- This song can be found on iTunes on his 2013 Album titled For Now I Am Winter
Related Posts: Olafur Arnaulds
Driving I-95 S. With Bombogenesis.
January 26, 2015 by 30 Comments
6:10 am.
The digital read-out on the dash flickers + 22 F.
Where’s the “+”?
It’s dark, and cold, and the day opened with the media blaring: ‘Bombogenesis‘: Northeast Blizzard “Juno” Will Be Fueled By Dramatic Pressure Drop. This is followed with a pre-recorded, public service announcement of impending doom:
This is an important winter storm advisory. A blizzard warning is in effect for the State of Connecticut. It is predicted to bring high winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour. Snow accumulation of 20 to 30 inches is expected. Coastal flooding and high tides are anticipated. Widespread and long duration power outages are expected. Utility crews are prohibited from engaging in repair work until the end of the storm. There will be a travel ban at 9pm this evening.
In 1973, the ’63 GMC Short-Bed Step-Side was outfitted with a block heater. A three-pronged electrical cord dangled from the grill and was plugged in overnight. On most frigid British Columbia mornings, this would be enough to crank up the Chevy after three or four turns and get us to hockey practice.
40 years later, my ignition fires on the first pull, with no dangling cords hanging from the grill. The Gratitude Bus is rolling.
I pull out and accelerate onto I-95. The highway is clear and dry. I’m flowing with traffic. My Ólafur Arnalds’ playlist lands on “Undan Hulu.” I have no idea what Undan Hulu (Icelandic) means but the Cello solo hits a sweet spot. I hit replay, replay and replay in my Monday morning meditation.
Yet, there is no mistaking the dark streak darting in and out of Arnalds’ Cello solo. [Read more…]
For Now I Am Winter
January 4, 2015 by 15 Comments
Ólafur Arnalds, 26, is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Ólafur Arnalds mixes strings and piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from ambient/electronic to pop.
This song can be found on iTunes on his album titled For Now I Am Winter – which I acquired several weeks ago and have had playing on a continuous loop. Highly recommended.
For related Olafur Arnalds posts:
- Old Skin (from the same “For Now I am Winter” album)
- Near Light
- Pianists’ Live Improv (Olafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm)
Ólafur Arnalds
October 17, 2014 by 8 Comments
Ólafur Arnalds, 26, is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Ólafur Arnalds mixes strings and piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from ambient/electronic to pop. This tune features Arnór Dan who is the lead singer and songwriter of the Icelandic band Agent Fresco and collaborator of Ólafur Arnalds.
- His official web site can be found here.
- This song can be found on iTunes on his 2013 Album titled For Now I Am Winter
Related Post: Near Light
Pianists’ Live Improv
May 17, 2014 by 19 Comments
I’ve featured Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm previously on separate posts titled: Near Light and Said & Done. Now the two solo artists come together to create a new song live in front of an intimate audience at Roter Salon, Volksbühne Berlin. The musicians test/practise with the new equipment up to the ~ 2:20 mark on the video and the improvision starts from there.
Genius. And Magic.
Near Light
October 27, 2013 by 16 Comments
Ólafur Arnalds, 26, is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Ólafur Arnalds mixes strings and piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from ambient/electronic to pop.
- His official web site can be found here.
- This song can be found on iTunes on his 2011 Album titled “Living Room Songs.“
- His 2013 album “For Now I Am Winter” can be found on iTunes here.
