Jóhann Jóhannsson was an Icelandic composer who carved a distinctive niche in the world of film scoring with his enthralling blend of classical orchestration and contemporary electronic music. Born on September 19, 1969, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Jóhannsson began his musical journey as a guitarist in indie rock bands before gradually shifting his focus to the interplay between acoustic and electronic sounds. His talent for creating captivating, atmospheric compositions garnered international acclaim, especially in the cinematic realm.

Jóhannsson's work often transcended traditional boundaries, as demonstrated by his contributions to films like "Sicario" and "The Theory of Everything," the latter earning him a Golden Globe for Best Original Score in 2015. His ability to infuse emotion into his music, whether through haunting strings or minimalist piano themes, lent his work a timeless and profound quality. Jóhannsson passed away on February 9, 2018, but his legacy lives on through his groundbreaking scores and the profound impact he had on the world of film music and beyond. His posthumous releases, such as "A Prayer To The Dynamo / Suites from Sicario & The Theory of Everything" and "Drone Mass," continue to reveal the depth and breadth of his talent, leaving a lasting impression on listeners and cementing his status as a composer of extraordinary depth and vision.

Genres

Compositional Ambient

Experimental Classical

Icelandic Classical

Icelandic Experimental

Nordic Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Related Artists

Hildur Guðnadóttir

James Heather

Carlos Rafael Rivera

Dustin O'Halloran

Max Richter

Sylvain Chauveau

Ólafur Arnalds

A Winged Victory for the Sullen

Peter Broderick

Library Tapes

Goldmund

Fernando Velázquez

Latest Release

Jóhann Jóhannsson: They Being Dead Yet Speaketh (from Miners' Hymns)

Jóhann Jóhannsson•

Dalia Stasevska•

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Single - Released June 14, 2024