Album insights
To commemorate the 50th birthday of the acclaimed Icelandic film composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (1969–2018), Deutsche Grammophon releases the world premiere recording of his string quartet "12 Conversations with Thilo Heinzmann." This piece delves into the comparison between the creative processes of composing music and creating art. Born out of a four-year dialogue and collaboration between Jóhannsson and Berlin-based painter Thilo Heinzmann, the twelve-movement string quartet stands apart as a unique addition to the composer's narrative-driven works. Jóhannsson, known for blending electronic and classical elements, condensed his sonic world into "12 Conversations" solely using strings, devoid of electronics. Following his unexpected passing in February 2018, Jóhannsson's musical comrades, the Echo Collective, breathed life into the score drawing from their extensive partnership.