GABRÍEL ÓLAFS ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM LULLABIES FOR PIANO AND CELLO SET FOR RELEASE JUNE 9TH
A Collection of Instrumental Works Inspired by Icelandic Folk Melodies
First Single “Fantasia” Out Now - LISTEN HERE
 |
 |
14 APRIL 2023 (TORONTO, ON) — Today, composer Gabríel Ólafs announces his new body of work – Lullabies for Piano and Cello – to be released on June 9 via Decca Records US/Universal Music Canada.
The 10-track album traces its origin to a collection of Icelandic melodies unearthed by Gabríel at an antique bookshop in Gabríel’s home city of Reykjavik.
Listen to the first single “Fantasía” HERE and watch the accompanying video HERE.
A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS
Accompanied by close friend and collaborator, cellist Steiney Sigurðardóttir, the lead track and original composition “Fantasía” captures the essence of the album. A simple piano motif playfully ebbs and flows amidst moments of airy cello.
Gabríel explains, “Steiney is someone with whom I can communicate nonverbally through music. We recorded the latter half of the album right after Steiney had given birth. The piano is the foundation of the album and the opening of the conversation with the cello, which is very much the mother’s voice, sometimes speaking, sometimes singing.”
EMOTIONAL FIRST
This album is deliberately stripped back, absent of electronics.
Inspired by the Ravel quote “music must be emotional first, intellectual second,” Gabríel restricted his tonal palette to piano and cello, instruments with which he feels a direct emotional access.
It is this Romantic sensibility that drives Gabríel to make space in his music for emotion and reflection.
A FANTASY FOR HIS GENERATION
At just 24-years-old, Gabríel responds to ancient viking folk songs with the perspective of a postmodern Gen Z composer. By challenging himself to compose contemporary lullabies, Gabríel has explored his own fantasy world – a fantasy for his generation. And like all the best fantasy worlds, it is rooted in the history and mythology of his people, the Icelanders.
“I have faith in the power of melody, and lullabies encapsulate both history and nostalgia. When I’m writing music, nostalgia is my favorite feeling to capture. It’s a complex emotion, because it evokes both sadness and happiness at the same time. Lullabies are core musical memories for all of us, and with Lullabies for Piano and Cello I hope to unlock them for you.”
Lullabies for Piano and Cello Tracklist:
1. Fantasía
2. Sálmur
3. Noktúrna
4. Eldur
5. Vísa
6. Mamma
7. Barnkind
8. Frost
9. Bambaló
10. Draumheimar