Ólafur Arnalds: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

July 19, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- It's as if the pianos were haunted. Somewhere about midway through this Tiny Desk, as Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds performed on his electronic keyboard, two upright pianos were playing lilting melodies behind him, absent any performer at the keys. And yet these "ghosts," along with Ólafur's band of strings and percussion, put together some of the most beautiful music I've heard at the Tiny Desk, made all the more mysterious through its presentation.

About ten minutes into the performance Ólafur looked behind him at the two pianos, looked to the NPR crowd and said, "well I guess you're all wondering 'what and why,' to which there's no easy answer." He hit the keys on his electronic keyboard and the two pianos behind responded with cascading, raindrop-like notes. "What I can say," he continued, "is that I've spent two years and all of my money on this — to make my pianos go bleep-bloop." What Ólafur was referring to is software that he and his coder friend, Halldór Eldjárn developed. A computer, loaded with this musical software (which Ólafur calls the Stratus system), "listens" to Ólafur's keyboard performance and responds by creating patterns that are musically in tune with the chord or notes Ólafur performed.

So why do this? Basically, it's a way to break out of the box musicians often fall back on as performers — the familiar responses that years of playing can reinforce. With that is the hope that the computer will create a response that is unfamiliar and, in some cases through speed of performance and the sheer number of notes played, impossible for a human to have made. So, it breathes new life into the music for the listener and the performer.

It was a gently stunning and memorable Tiny Desk. More of these creations can be heard on Ólafur Arnalds' brilliant, fourth solo album re: member. The full album is out August 24 on Mercury KX.

Set List

"Árbakkinn"
"Unfold"
"Saman"
"Doria"

Musicians
Ólafur Arnalds (keys), Viktor Arnason (violin), Unnur Jónsdóttir (cello), Katie Hyun (violin), Karl James Pestka (viola), Manu Delago (percussion)

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin, Dominik Piorr; Audio Mix: Ólafur Arnalds; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Bronson Arcuri, Khun Minn Ohn; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eric Lee/NPR.

[hungrybox]

can the person who does the mixing for these just run for president in 2020

[annieelie]

I went to sleep to Sufjan Stevens and woke up to this. Thank you, Youtube faeries, gods and goddesses.

[scbluesman]

The NPR Tiny Desk Comments Section: Probably the only place on YouTube where I will take someone's music advice and not be disappointed.

[diaspo]

Ólafur's music has always had the most profound impact on me. His compositions are transcendentally and achingly beautiful.

[peachfreude]

When the violins and cello creeps in, I feel so much feelings overwashed me all at once

[kkalimotxo]

Goes to Tiny Desk. Brings 2 pianos and 2 keyboards. Legend.

[gavdrans]

The way Ólafur sways and moves while he plays is proof that he doesn’t possess his music - it possesses him. It grows and evolves and flows through him. And I believe only the most gifted writers and musicians in the world are capable of that.

[andreicherascu]

"I don't always fall into debt, but when I do, it's to make my pianos go bleep bloop."

[pgaffneyusa]

I'm at 13:00. I really love that you can hear the music, but also the mechanical sounds of the keys and the hammers playing. And then the organic vibrations of the violins and cello roll in. So excellent!

[JJ_x]

Olafur is one of those few artists able to capture such emotion in simple melody without words. I am so happy to see him get attention here

[nothing_happening_here]

What a lovely bunch of wizards and witches.
The elves and fairies in the pianos were also very talented.
Thanks for this concert!

[AnneloesF]

What a beautiful example of man and machine amplifying each other's strengths and making a beautiful work of art. I just watched a documentary on Turing and now I see this. Computers can make art perhaps, but even more so, they can lift a human artist to higher grounds! To more profound humanity. Humbling to listen to, and also very beautiful and soothing. Thanks!

[WHOAM]

such a chill gentleman, and he brings such an interesting atmosphere to the space he's in. I'm so glad i've been blessed with the opportunity to discover this artist.

[christianlesurfmusic]

This guy is simply amazing. I love him so much.

[mjgarratt]

The bleep-bloop pianos are wonderful, even more so in the mix with each piano panned on different sides. Very nice indeed!

[zaphyy]

I never thought Olafur would be on this show, this is absolutely incredible!

[gregoryedwards]

When the Very Best Of the Tiny desk comes around again I hope these guys are voted into the Top 10 of all time... Listen to the talking piano's... Its Music to be heard by the heart!

[pablovasconcelos]

I always thought it funny when people looked at numbers of sales or charts to see the "new" music or think they are listening to what is next, I really belive that if you want progression and what comes further in the musical arts you have the best example right here. Thank you Ólafur Arnalds for composing this marvelous music and thank you NPR for bringing it to my ears.

[ianivhojman]

Olafur has an amazing way of making use of technology for his music. Really inspiring.

[plaskocordova]

Beautiful and haunting melodies. What an amazing and fantastic setup he has.