Bedroom Community

Daníel Bjarnason

Noted Icelandic classical composer and conductor, Daniel Bjarnason is garnering widespread acclaim for his debut album, Processions. The album sees Daniel become the fifth artist released on the innovative Bedroom Community label, which is also home to Nico Muhly, Sam Amidon, Ben Frost and Valgeir Sigurdsson (who produced and mixed Processions).

As well as frequently conducting the Icelandic Opera and Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Daniel is the chief conductor and artistic leader for the Isafold Chamber Orchestra. Daniel's Isafold piece "All sounds to silence come" was awarded by the International Composers Rostrum in 2007.

Daniel's work with artists and orchestras bridges the classical and contemporary worlds. For Sigur Rós' epic Abbey Road live recording of Ára bátur, Daniel conducted the London Sinfonietta and London Oratory Boy's Choir. His sought after arrangements have also featured on award winning albums by folk chanteuse Ólöf Arnalds and Icelandic pop sensations, Hjaltalin.

What the press says

 Processions deserves to be [Bjarnason's] global breakthrough. It’s the sound of fire and instinct, the musical equivalent of a controlled burn. Perhaps all sounds to silence come, but thanks to Bjarnason, that sonic Armageddon seems a long distance away.   

Richard Allen — The Silent Ballet (January 27th 2010) ★★★★★★★★★ Read all reviews

“Surely one of the most bombastic modern classical albums you’re likely to hear all year”.

Boomkat (February 1st 2010) Read all reviews

 “Daniel Bjarnason brings the magic of Icelandic music to the classical world. A musical statement not to be missed.” 

 

Tyler Fisher — SputnikMusic (April 28th 2010) ★★★★★★★★★ Read all reviews

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Draumalandið (Dreamland) Music by Valgeir Sigurðsson

Here are a few music examples from Draumalandið (Dreamland), a documentary about the exploitation of Iceland’s natural resources, tells a story about huge things—the fortunes of a whole nation; the destruction of vast landscapes; and the global economic forces, greater still than any nation, that fuel it all—and for his soundtrack to the film, Valgeir has brought out a heavier set of tools. His entire roster of Bedroom Community labelmates contributes in some way to the creation of the score: classical composers Nico Muhly and Daníel Bjarnason, industrial wizard Ben Frost, and American folksinger Sam Amidon, along with a host of others, and the small orchestra assembled for the record swells from moments of expansive beauty into massive, surging symphonic force. Its harmonies are anxious, pulsing, driven.

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Discography

Processions
Released on 16 February 2010
CD, Digital
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