Jóhann Jóhannsson — Virðulegu Forsetar

The 20th century composer Edgard Varèse stated he liked brass because they are ‘full of sun’. Jóhannsson’s followup to his rather sad solo-debut Englabörn proves that point.

Englabörn was melancholic and sad and revolved around one theme played by a stringquartet augmented by (mostly subtle) electronics. Virðulegu Forsetar is even more minimal themewise: played by a brasssection primarily, with little piano and glockenspiel. There are only very small alterations the melodic motif during the four pieces that comprise Virðulegu Forsetar. The electronics are more droney but again subtle. The mood is more ‘up’, although the pace is slow and stately.

The piece has been performed in a church, with the 'lighting effects' of a sun going down and blue balloons hanging on the ceiling with just enough helium to start falling down during the performance and settle inbetween the audience. I can imagine this was a great experience, which hopefully makes it to these shores some time.

The CD comes with a DVD that features a stereo and a surround 5.1 mix. I can’t play the surround mix, but the stereo version from DVD is, as one would expect given the higher resolution, much more ‘open’. I’m not an audiophile, but it really adds to the feeling of the music. It gives a spatious effect that enhances the experience and it connects really well to visions of Icelandic scenery. Virðulegu Forsetar is one of those records to make time for: sit down and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of brass and drones.