Olafur Arnalds teams up with Mercury Classics to bring you a unique and evolving audio-visual portrait of his home country of Iceland.This project is on a scale that has never been attempted in the classical music world before.Island Songs is the innovative brainchild of BAFTA award winning composer Olafur Arnalds, alongside acclaimed film director Baldvin Z (BBCs Trapped, Life in a Fish Bowl).Olafur traveled to 7 towns across Iceland where he collaborated with 7 local artists, and at each location he created, recorded and performed a new composition with the artist. He delivered the audio and video the following day. Mercury Classics released one audio track and one live performance video each Monday.Island Songs is a real-time interactive project that will evolve in the digital space, hosted via a bespoke website. Arnalds dedicated fanbase was able to follow him on his travels via Facebook live-streams, Snapchats, Instagram, Twitter and Apple Connect.Olafurs journey was also be chronicled by acclaimed film director Baldvin Z. The 7-week period resulted in an hour-long music film, including conversations exploring music, history and identity, to create a powerful musical portrait of their native land.This is the most ambitious project that Olafur has ever undertaken, creatively and logistically.
S**T
A wonderful experience
Beautiful album, all be it a little short but its about quality not quantity, right.One of my most listened to Ólafur albums now that i think about it, finds its beauty in all moods and particularly when travelling amidst open landscapes. This is often listened to 2 if not 3 times successively and never feels old or repetitive, just melancholic strings and haunting harmonies always resulting in a pensive and reflective experience. Ólafur brings happiness to heartache.
M**F
WONDERFUL
The opening track startled me at first as for some reason it reminded me of my long dead father speaking even though i could not understand a word of it! This is one of those rare pieces of music that connects on quite a deep level for me and maybe for some of the other reviewers also? It feels and sounds like the musical equivalent of breathing in clean air and slowly exhaling. Beautiful and deeply relaxing and will never get tired. Heartily recommend.
A**Y
Perfect Massage Music
Such beautiful, interesting sounds. I listen to this over and over again. I knew nothing about it, I just heard one of the songs on the radio and loved it so bought the album and I am delighted that I did. It is perfect to work to and I have also had it on in the background whilst being massaged and it stood up well to both activities.
H**T
Poor quality vinyl
I bought the vinyl version of the album and although I enjoy the contents, the pressing is poor and noisy.There is a constant background rumble and many clicks and ticks which spoil the whole experience.
W**N
Truly beautiful..
Absolutely beautiful album...If you like your music gentle and quiet, this is just perfect...Fabulous artist... Love his work...
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