Ólafur Arnalds – Island Songs – v. Dalur (ft. Brasstríó Mosfellsdals)

Mosfellsdalur is part of Ólafur’s hometown where he grew up. It’s a broad, green and fertile ground with a large farming community and only 30 minutes away from Reykjavík. Sitting in the middle of a green field is a bright orange house, home to Þorkell Jóelsson, french horn player and recently retired member of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra.

Þorkell also grew up in Mosfellsdalur and taught in the music school while I was attending, directing the brass band. For this film, in addition to the musicians and crew, we used many ‘extras’. This was great fun, especially our starring guest, a horse named Fleygur!

Collaborator / Þorkell Jóelsson
Horn Player

What I love most about the horn is its wide range in all aspects. Like dynamic, character and all the range from low to high notes.

Musicians
Piano: Ólafur Arnalds, Horn: Þorkell Jóelsson, Horn: Jósef Ognibene, Trombone: Bergur Þórisson

Crew
Director: Baldvin Z, Director of photography: Jóhann Máni Jóhannsson, AC Focuspuller: Snorri Fairweather, Sound recorder: Benedikt Árnason, Sound engeineer: Arnþór Örlygsson, Recording Assistant: Þórarinn Guðnason, Production Coordinator: Sólveig Ásta Sigurðardóttir, Transcriber: Snorri Hallgrímsson
Extras: Eggert Rafnsson, Ester Sveinbjarnardóttir, Helga Dóra Steindórsdóttir, Jóhann Ólafur Benjamínsson plus Fleygur the horse!