Jóhann Jóhannsson: A Prayer to the Dynamo; Suites from Sicario and The Theory of Everything

by Daniel Bjarnason, Iceland Symphony Orchestra

Overview

The late Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson was well known for film scores in which he got considerable emotional mileage out of repetitive, almost minimalistic gestures. The suites from Sicario (by filmmaker Denis Villeneuve) and The Theory of Everything (about Stephen Hawking) heard here were both nominated for Academy Awards in their full versions, and the latter took a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. A Prayer to the Dynamo, however, is something else again, an independent orchestral work. Physical and online versions of the album apparently differ in their track sequencing, with this work coming first only in the physical albums. This is preferable, for it is quite an arresting and distinctive work. The title refers to a disused power station in Iceland where the composer recorded concrete sounds, incorporating them into the score as samples. This is one of few pieces Johannsson wrote independently of a cinematic context, and it is receiving its world premiere recording here (it was performed by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, which commissioned it). The language is not distinct from that of the film scores, but the samples lend the music a mysterious and somewhat futurist sound. The "prayer" element of the title is entirely apropos. Conductor Daniel Bjarnason and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra offer the clean, somewhat mechanical sound the music requires, and it is well recorded in Reykjavik's Harpa Concert Hall. Strongly recommended to those interested in the potentialities of new film music, and really anyone will find this an interesting listen. The album made classical best-seller charts in the autumn of 2023. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	09/15/2023
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948648702
Rank:	64801

Tracks

1. A Prayer to the Dynamo~Part 1
2. A Prayer to the Dynamo~Part 2
3. A Prayer to the Dynamo~Part 3
4. A Prayer to the Dynamo~Part 4
5. The Theory of Everything - Suite~A Model Of The Universe
6. The Theory of Everything - Suite~Domestic Pressures
7. The Theory of Everything - Suite~The Origins Of Time
8. The Theory of Everything - Suite~Forces Of Attraction
9. The Theory of Everything - Suite~Cambridge, 1963
10. Sicario - Suite~Target
11. Sicario - Suite~Desert Music
12. Sicario - Suite~Melancholia

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Daniel Bjarnason   Primary Artist,Conductor
Iceland Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Evan Gildersleeve   Electronics
Paul Corley   Electronics
Skuli Sverrisson   Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Nicole Maurer   A&R
Evan Gildersleeve   Assistant Producer
Rafael Walchshofer   Coordination
Anush Alimirzaie   Executive Producer
Hans-Christian Lohs   Product Manager
Lars Hoffmann   Production Manager
Florian Karg   Cover Art,Artwork
Christopher Tarnow   Mastering Engineer,Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Christian Badzura   Executive Producer
John Schaefer   Liner Notes
Piotr Furmanczyk   Assistant Engineer
Johann Johannsson   Composer
Paul Corley   Producer
Lara Marie Hensel   Cover Photo