On her new album, pianist Alice Sara Ott presents world premiere recordings of piano transcriptions of late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson’s most famous works. It includes some of Jóhannsson’s iconic works from different films as well as from his studio albums, including Orphée and Englabörn. Ott’s interpretations capture the essence of the composer’s hauntingly beautiful music.        

Though Ott never met Jóhannsson, she had always loved his music. In preparing for this unique project, she spoke to several of his friends and colleagues to gain greater insight into his work and processes: “As I worked on these pieces – internalising the musical architecture, shapes and language of Jóhann’s music – it actually felt like a very personal dialogue with him.”    

“What’s so incredible about Jóhannsson’s music,” concludes Ott, “is how his compositions, originally written for larger ensembles and different instruments, translate so beautifully to the piano. Within this more focused and intimate sound world, the writing reveals hidden nuances and enhances the purity and clarity that are so intrinsic to his music.”     

Tracklist:

Side A:
Bað
Odi et Amo/Krókódíll
Englabörn
Jói & Karen
Flugeldar II from "Dís"
Já, Hemmi Minn from "Dís"
Ruslpóstur from "Dís"

Side B:
The Sun's Gone Dim and the Sky's Turned Black
Melodia (iii)
Theme from "Varmints"
Dressing Up from "Personal Effects"
Linda & Walter from "Personal Effects"
Indian Wedding from "Personal Effects"
He Says It's The Future from "Copenhagen Dreams"
Eleven Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-Nine Died of Natural Causes from "Copenhagen Dreams"

Side C:
Flight from the City
Innocence from "Free the Mind"
Will's Story I from "Free the Mind"
Time to Say Goodbye from "White Black Boy"
Payphone from "McCanick"
A Game of Croquet from "The Theory of Everything"
A Model of the Universe from "The Theory of Everything"
The Theory of Everything from "The Theory of Everything"

Side D:
Beauty from "Blind Massage"
A Sparrow Alighted Upon Our Shoulder
By the Roes, and by the Hinds of the Field
Good Morning, Midnight
The Drowned World
The Radiant City
Be Over from "The Shadow Play"