Interview: Ólafur Arnalds
Ólafur Arnalds at the Southbank Centre, photographed by Pete Woodhead
Hannah Fiddy talked to Icelandic musician and producer Ólafur Arnalds, whose music has variously been described as new classical, indie classical and post-classical.
Over 3 million listeners stream his music on Spotify every month, which mixes elements of classical, electronic, ambient and pop. In 2015 he composed the haunting soundtrack for Broadchurch, and also released The Chopin Project, an album combining piano pieces by Chopin in their original form alongside his own new music.
I spoke to Ólafur about his favourite classical composers and the alternative classical scene in Iceland.
How do you see your music as fitting within the classical tradition?
I’m not really trying to fit in with classical music, and I don’t really think I do any more than any generic modern pop music does. The fact is that all modern western music does come from the classical music tradition and I cannot ignore that. But if you look beyond the fact that I use classical instruments as a medium, my music probably has more in common with Kraftwerk than Mozart.
How did you get into classical music and what appeals to you about it?
My grandmother force-fed me Chopin from an early age. At the time I had more interest in punk music and playing drums. But I learned to love it. Because of that, Chopin has a very special place in my heart.
Who are some of your favourite classical composers?
Chopin (obviously), David Lang, Shostakovich, Arvo Pärt. [Click to listen on Spotify]
Which classical piece do you think would appeal to the first-time listener?
The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Or Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa.
How much of an alternative classical scene is there in Iceland?
Classical music came pretty late to Iceland so there really isn't much history of classical music (or any music really) pre-1900s. Because of that I think Icelandic composers have never really been afraid of bending or breaking the "rules". The last few decades have seen some amazing Icelandic composers doing very interesting and unconventional music based on classical instrumentation. Jóhann Jóhannsson, Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, Daníel Bjarnason and Hildur Guðnadóttir to name a few.
You’ve got 280k Facebook fans, as well as 189k on YouTube, 146k on Instagram and 65k on Twitter. How has social media helped you reach the position you’re in now?
Social media has been a big part of how I communicate with my audience from the very start of my career. You are giving a glimpse into your own life and you need to be willing to be honest and open, to be yourself, otherwise there is no point. I look at it as a way to build community with people who have similar interests. Something I've always appreciated and tried to encourage is the fact that so many of my fans are creators themselves. We have something in common.
“Icelandic composers have never been afraid of breaking the ‘rules’”
Ólafur Arnalds’ OPIA takes over Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room) for a one-off evening on Friday 8 November 2019, as recommended in our UK events guide. Other artists performing include Kiasmos (Ólafur Arnalds with Janus Rasmussen), Grandbrothers, Rhye, Poppy Ackroyd, Hӧgni & Ensemble, Hania Rani, Josin and Vaal. See you there!
Hannah Fiddy is a creative entrepreneur based in Bristol, developing new audiences for classical music. She is the Co-Founder of Alternative Classical and the creator of Humans of Classical Music and Concert Roulette. Hannah interviews prominent artists from around the world and writes articles about classical music.
Follow Hannah on Twitter @Hannah_Fiddy.