Virthulegu Forsetar

President Bartlett 'may' have referred to this as an "atonal nightmare of pretension," but this indeed unusual work proves relaxing, restful, reflective or remarkable enjoyment-cum-contentment, as your mood may take you. You might find this considerable more rewarding than listening to an hour or so of wind chimes, Tibetan horns or a babbling brook in some exotic forest ...!!!

This c.d. brings very nice music and a very nice idea together. The constant sound of the horns coming in and out make it quite beautiful but the only fault is the need to constantly raise the volume of your stereo whilst listening. Otherwise it's perfect.

Very deep and rich and creative. Highly recommended!

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

This is one of Johann Johannsson's best works. I highly recommend it. It is in my top ten right now.