Customer Reviews

Found Songs

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here is a small (20 minutes long) collection of chamber music themes with some subtle electronic additions and alterations. The music centers around Mr. Arnalds' piano, with violin and/or cello stepping in to provide tasteful accompaniment from time to time. The style reminded me slightly of Satie in its often apparent simplicity, although some themes such as the duet "Ljosid" gradually become more complex as the instruments weave in and out of each other. Whatever it sounds like, though, I was completely captured by the beauty of this music. It's perfect for moments of peace and contemplation.

Ólafur Arnalds is one of my favorite new composers. If you want to buy the CD, the music is worth it, but you can also download the music free legally from his website. Check it out there first.

I became a huge fan of Olafur Analds because of this cd: FOUND SONGS. If you crave music that is sparse, containing silence, that is mostly centered around the piano, I think you'll love this album. The only complaint is that its very short, less than 30-40 minutes. When I downloaded it on Amazon, where I discovered it, I simply recorded it twice. Its gorgeous, neo-classical. Most highly recommended.

I love "classical" music. As we know, that was a period in the standard for Western music. Yet it is the nomenclature for the whole spectrum. Olafur keeps the romantic and melodic aspect of the finer points of music for the contemporary person. Often in the past, music sounds so dated. Beautiful, but either a dated sound or simply just segments that were beautiful within the whole that was not.
His music seems to update and interpret the beautiful and sensative side of music. His music is understated in a way that, at times, only the piano can truly express. He expresses it well. How can someone so young compose so well? It is another reminder that simple is the ultimate achievement. Just ask the zen master
Much of modern music in the "classical realm" is harsh and disjointed, as if we are to transcend beauty and become as base as democracy seems to have become in America. Elegance and grace are never out of fashion as Olafur in his music reminds us. If you have an elegant heart, you have to appreciate his music.

2 1/2


Predictably pretty, this minimally droning classical will only be pleasant enough background for the ones who already expect it.