Gabríel Ólafs, Reykjavík Orkestra, Viktor Orri Arnason - Orchestral Works (2024) [Hi-res]

12 APRIL 2024 (TORONTO, ON) —Today, Icelandic pianist and composer Gabríel Ólafs debuts the single, “Fantasía For Cello And Orchestra.” The cinematic track is from his upcoming album, Orchestral Works, set for release on May 24 via Decca Records US/Universal Music Canada. Listen to the delicately orchestrated melody and pre-order the album here.

Recorded at the stunning Harpa Concert Hall by the Reykjavík Orkestra, conducted by Viktor Orri Árnason, the new album, Orchestral Works, celebrates Gabríel Ólafs’ first five years as a recording artist and professional composer. Thirteen of the compositions are presented here in brand new orchestral arrangements with works drawn from Gabríel’s solo albums Absent Minded, Solon Islandus, and Lullabies for Piano and Cello. Orchestral Works marks a milestone in the evolution of his artistry, adding a fresh twist to postmodern classical music, and his newfound love with the orchestra.

“It’s a modern sound using a traditional soundscape,” Gabriel says, explaining that he’s orchestrated his music for a chamber group of strings, woodwinds, horns, trombone, percussion, harp and piano. “It’s probably the biggest range I’ve ever had in terms of instrumentation to play with. It’s sonically interesting and at the emotional core it also has really strong, beautiful, memorable melodies.”

Gabríel’s four studio albums Absent Minded (2019), Piano Works (2020), Solon Islandus (2022), and Lullabies for Piano and Cello (2023) have garnered the young, 25-year-old, composer over 200-million streams to date. His work draws inspiration from Nordic folk traditions, poetry, and film.