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Gabriel Olafs

Orchestral Works w/ Reykjavik Orkestra, VOA

Decca Records
Release Date: March 29, 2024

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Performance (Live on KEXP)
1 Absent Minded - Orchestral Works Version 04:02  
2 Melodia Suite: Filma - Orchestral Works Version 04:59  
3 Islandus: Streymir 02:06  
4 Islandus: Solon I 04:00  
5 Islandus: Solon II 04:17  
6 Islandus: Flora I 03:20  
7 Islandus: Flora II “The Lily” 03:41  
8 Islandus: Flora III 03:47  
9 Islandus: The Drifter 02:31  
10 Islandus: Raven I “The Croak” 05:14  
11 Islandus: Raven II “The Caw” 02:49  
12 Fantasía for Cello and Orchestra 05:09  
13 Staircase Sonata - Orchestral Works Version 2:48  
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Gabríel Ólafs has fallen in love with the orchestra. “The way this collective of amazing players becomes one is awesome,” he says, “there’s nothing like hearing a symphony orchestra play.” Marking five years as a professional composer and recording artist, Ólafs’ latest album dives right into this inspiring world. Orchestral Works features orchestral arrangements of thirteen of his favorite pieces, but it’s far from being a simple “best of”. “It’s very much a standalone work based on my best melodies, themes and motifs,” he says, “I created a new work from them. I followed what made me excited. In my opinion, it’s my best album yet.”

The Icelandic pianist and composer, 25, whose music has been streamed over 200 million times, had a wealth of pieces on his three solo albums to choose from. The opening Melodia Suite begins, aptly, with the work that set him on his creative path at just 14, the waltzing Absent Minded. It’s completed by one of his most popular pieces, the richly melodic Filma, from his album Piano Works. There’s a nod to his passion for film in the cinematic orchestral work Fantasía, from Lullabies, but at the heart of the album is music from Solon Islandus, Ólafs’ homage to Icelandic culture and his Decca Records US debut. “The goal was to turn it into a symphony,” he explains. “It’s my Symphony No. 1.”

  • Gabriel Olafs - Steiney Sigurardottir 'Lullabies for Piano and Cello' is exceptional / ArtisanMusicReviews.com
    Posted At: January 8, 2024 12:00 AM
    ArtisanMusicReviews.com R J Lannan writes….Piano and cello duos are quite popular, but I think that the collaboration between Icelandic composer/pianist Gabríel Ólafs and cellist Steiney Sigurðardóttir is exceptional. Everything on the album Lullabies for Piano and Cello seems to work flawlessly. The concept of transmuting centuries old folktales and lullabies into contemporary post-classical music is very ...
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  • Viking heritage inspires soothing lullabies from Icelandic pianist: Gabriel Olafs / NPR
    Posted At: June 12, 2023 12:00 AM
    Gabríel Ólafs drew inspiration from Viking tunes for his album Lullabies for Piano and Cello, featuring cellist Steiney Sigurðardóttir.NPR - Morning Edition's Olivia Hampton writes……While strolling in his home city of Reykjavik last year, Gabríel Ólafs wandered into a bookstore, where he found an out-of-print collection of ancient Viking melodies. The Icelandic pianist-composer found inspiration to explore ...
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  • Gabriel Olafs releases new album: 'Lullabies For Piano And Cello' / MARTIN CID MAGAZINE
    Posted At: June 11, 2023 12:00 AM
    Lullabies soundtrack the most formative season of our development. For centuries, parents have hummed them to children as either a salve to ease stress, a natural aid to trigger sleep, or a simple reminder that all will be well in the world once morning comes. Imprinted upon our memories and carried within our hearts for lifetimes, we pass them from one generation to the next. Icelandic composer and artist ...
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  • Gabriel Olafs set to release his new Decca Records recording: 'Lullabies for Piano and Cello'
    Posted At: April 11, 2023 12:00 AM
    Lullabies soundtrack the most formative season of our development. For centuries, parents have hummed them to children as either a salve to ease stress, a natural aid to trigger sleep, or a simple reminder that all will be well in the world once morning comes. Imprinted upon our memories and carried within our hearts for lifetimes, we pass them from one generation to the next. Icelandic composer and artist ...
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