The Auditory

On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of attending Ólafur Arnalds’ concert at the Highline Ballroom.  I recently became acquainted with Arnalds’ music, which I only found because of an advertisement on Facebook for the concert.  After reading his musical background and connection to other Icelandic musicians I admire, I decided it could not hurt to see Ólafur Arnalds live in concert with his string quartet.

Arnalds is known for mixing strings with piano (his own instrument) with loops and beats (provided with an additional member in his band).  While other composers and musicians are able to achieve success in this so-called genre of crossover music, none are able to do it with the same artistic integrity as Ólafur Arnalds.

Called the “maestro of the Hipster Philharmonic” by Time Out New York, Owen Pallett is an important force in this style of music.  If Owen Pallett is the Hipster Philharmonic’s maestro, Ólafur Arnalds’ band is part of that orchestra.  Whereas Pallett’s performance tends to revolve around his virtuosic playing, Arnalds compositions do not center around one individual in the performance, which could also be attributed to the fact that he is not the only one performing. Ólafur Arnalds’ performance last night only leaves me more eager to hear what other innovative things will come out of the Icelandic music scene.

-Juan Blanco