Jóhann Jóhannsson, Modern Classical Music Visionary and Golden Globe Winner, Passes Away at 48 Years Old
It is with a great sadness I reflect upon the passing of one of my absolute modern classical heroes, Icelandic musician, composer and visionary, Jóhann Jóhannsson.
A pursuer of uncompromised perfection in the emotional connection and existentially challenging nature in the relationship of his works with his listeners, a prolific collaborator and peer promoter, and unparalleled innovator of the Post-Classical movement, Jóhann Jóhannsson had most recently been reaching new audiences and finding new narrative voices through film scores that included works such as The Theory of Everything, Sicario, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, among others.
Jóhannssons' brilliant and evocative compositions for plays, contemporary dance and theater were the catalyst that led filmmakers to realize the colors and feeling this Icelandic languages and literature scholar brought out of the subtlest movements in his narrative approach to orchestral composition.
All these praises, almost platitudes I express for a true hero of mine, feel a bit contradictory and contrived when evaluated against the wisdom in Jóhann's own humble words:
People seem to need labels, but they can be needlessly reductive.
Jóhann expressed this sentiment most acutely in his collaborations, the variety and depth his work with others from every corner of the musical spectrum (Tim Hecker, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jaki Liebezeit and Stephen O'Malley, to name a few) yielded. He was constantly bringing those with less 'musical standing' or accolades to the forefront, celebrating them in his words, performing with them as a backing member, and curating record labels and festivals to showcase those who had not yet found fortune's favor in spite of their musical nous.
There is nothing I can add to the amazing narrative that is Jóhann Jóhannsson's life, no prose I can put that would adequately measure up to the beauty of his works, nor the importance and impact his music has had on the world. I can only add what his legacy meant to me, my voice, a small tribute to a man whose works inspired me always.
My first experience with Jóhannsson's work was through his Modern Classical composition, 'Fordlândia'.
The album's narrative is centered around American vehicle monopolist and assembly line popularizer, Henry Fords' two and a half million acre, $20 million failed 'American' Utopia he tried to establish in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon rain forest in the 1920's
Said Jóhannsson:
The project – started because of the high price Ford had to pay for the rubber necessary for his cars' tyres – failed, of course, as the indigenous workers soon rioted against the alien conditions.
The minimal and baroque approach to an evocative string dominated narrative has so many subtle movements that decay so appropriately, encapsulates the failed Utopia feel and speaks to a greater human narrative.
I cried the first time I ever listened to this record. I cried the second. Possibly my 50th time through the record these days, I always have a box of tissues at my side.
Commonly considered Jóhann Jóhannsson masterpiece and seminal work, 'IBM 1401, A User's Manual' has one of the most unique voices in Modern Classical music, and ushered in a new approach to the place Baroque music can occupy in an age dominated by Moore's Law.
'IBM 1401, A User's Manual' was composed around complex narratives that frequented Jóhann's works, confronting the emerging relationship between man and machine and the rapid entropic movement towards a decaying and obsolete society and the correlation with technology.
Involving a 60 piece string orchestra and incorporating electronics and original reel-to-reel recordings of music made on a 1960 IBM 1401 mainframe computer, the album feels like it should be alien, should sound like a foreign experience that couldn't possibly convey powerful movements or emotion.
Yet, this User's Manual sounds like no user manual you have ever encountered, and is a lonely, wandering experience that has one of the best last movements in Modern Classical music.
I can only wish that all user's manuals could sound so strikingly beautiful.
One of Jóhannsson's rare recent pieces not composed to accompany a film, Orphée is a peaceful meditation on the process of creation.
A tribute to the tale of the poet Orpheus, Orphée traces a meandering path evocative of change, death and rebirth on a journey from darkness into light.
Featuring cello, organ, string quartet, string orchestra and unaccompanied voices, the album showcases the mesmerizing touch Jóhannsson's work in film and theater had added to his solo and orchestral full-length compositions.
The composer says of the album:
Orphée is for me about changes: about moving to a new city, leaving behind an old life in Copenhagen and building a new one in Berlin – about the death of old relationships and the birth of new ones. Perhaps this is one of the reasons I was drawn to the Orpheus myth, which is fundamentally about change, mutability, death, rebirth, the elusive nature of beauty and its sometimes thorny relation to the artist.
For me, these records have provided comfort in times of stress, strength in times of weakness, and reflection in the times I was met with difficulty in finding my path forward in life.
While I will forever miss looking forward to hearing new masterpieces spring forth from the mind of this brilliant composer, I find comfort knowing that the power of his music lives on through the timeless works he leaves behind, and also within the hearts of all those he has inspired.
Rest in peace, Jóhann Jóhannsson, thank you for all that you have given to the word. My thoughts extend to your family and friends, and I wish only the best for you and will do my utmost to cherish and share your legacy.
modern classical, ambience, minimalism, baroque
http://www.johannjohannsson.com/
all photos are promotional by the artist or fair use
This guy will always one of my favorite score composers. I've been listening to the Arrival soundtrack since i learned of his passing. He was a true talent. Great post!
reading through this as you are on the pypt show...but being blown away, gone too soon and was not familiar with this artist
b.a.
honored, BA, his music means much and more and he was bigger than a composer. Knowing he will live on in the hearts of all his music touches, and much appreciate your time and the opportunity, good sir.
I recognise the name, but never truly appreciated the art that goes with it. I know so much more now from your post, and the video at the end - true brilliance and a fitting tribute to a man who shared the love of great classical music to the world.
#thealliance
He may be gone but his great work and masterpiece will remain in the history. :)
you are right, Pamela, and I take comfort in those words. thank you.
@carmalain7, he is an amazing artist, and the world has suffered a tragic loss with his passing. My heartfelt condolences to you, and to his family.
Thank you so much for sharing this on PYPT. I had never heard of this man until you shared this post.
I'm following you now. My bandwidth is severely restricted right now, but I have enough to upvote and resteem this article as one of my daily post promotions for the @mitneb Curation Trail Project.
It will be featured in the @mitneb Curation Trail Project Daily Report for 15 FEB 2018.