Composer: Viktor Orri Árnason
Performer: Viktor Orri Árnason, Benedikt Kristjánsson, Yair Elazar Glotman, Stefan Baumann
Orchestra: Budapest Art Orchestra, Karlakórinn Fóstbræður
Conductor: Árni Harðarson
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Release: 2021
Size: 427 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Eilífur
01. I. Var
02. II. The Thread
03. III. Maiden
04. IV. Er
05. V. The Faultline
06. VI. The Vision
07. VII. Nectar
08. VIII. Anima Mundi
09. IX. Var—Er
Musical contemplation of living forever. “Eilífur” (“Eternal”) is Icelandic contemporary composer Viktor Orri Árnason’s solo debut and first Pentatone album, on which the prospect of living forever is contemplated. Sparked by the realisation that medical advances will soon eradicate death by natural causes, “Eilífur” weaves together a lucid, near-future narrative via a combination of abstract Icelandic lyrics and adept musical storytelling. The scope and scale of “Eilífur” is reflected in the extremes of its sound, which moves seamlessly from intimate strings and sombre voices to grand orchestral gestures and vast drones. “Eilífur” explores what life will be like in the absence of death’s ticking clock. Staying clear of the morbidity that such themes may imply, “Eilífur” is above all a celebration of life as we know it, and an ode to the things that make it worth living.
Viktor Orri Árnason composed, produced and mixed the album at his Berlin studio over the course of two years. The studio was a hub of experimentation with a community of outstanding award-winning composers and musicians, including Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Dustin O’Halloran, Rutger Hoedemaekers, Gunnar Örn Tynes and Yair Elazar Glotman. “Eilífur” is a statement, a first glimpse of Viktor’s outstanding abilities as a composer, conductor, instrumentalist, producer and mixing engineer; an ambitious album which puts him in the spotlight after many years working behind the scenes.