Headline: Alice Sara Ott Presents World Premiere Recordings Of Jóhann Jóhannsson Works Reimagined For Solo Piano
Tags: Alice Sara Ott, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Bergur Þórisson, Bryce Dessner, John Field, Jónatan Gretarsson, Anders Ladegaard, Wyndham Wallace, Ólafur Arnalds, Chilly Gonzales, Francesco Tristano, Karina Canellakis, Andrew Staples, Denis Villeneuve, Bill Morrison, James Marsh, Yair Elazar Glotman, Deutsche Grammophon, Faber Music, London Contemporary Orchestra, Konzerthaus, Royal Northern College of Music, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, De Singel, LOTTE Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie, Meistersingerhalle, Barbican, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Technics, JOST, Chaumet, LVMH, Wempe, Apple Music Classical, The New York Times, The Boston Globe
Blog Post:
Alice Sara Ott presents a collection of world premiere recordings of music by Jóhann Jóhannsson. Recorded in the late composer’s native Iceland, the 30-track Deutsche Grammophon album draws on an edition of solo piano transcriptions of his works recently published by Faber Music. These span the composer’s career, from studio albums such as ‘Englabörn’ and ‘Orphée’ to the pioneering scores he wrote for documentaries or feature films such as ‘Copenhagen Dreams,’ ‘Personal Effects,’ and the Golden Globe-winning ‘The Theory of Everything.’ ‘Jóhann Jóhannsson – Piano Works’ arrives digitally, on CD, and on vinyl on March 6, 2026, following the success of two EPs, Film Themes and From Englabörn, issued in late 2025 featuring seven of the album’s tracks. The visionary work of Jóhannsson, a highly influential figure in contemporary music and multi-award-winning film composer, has continued to captivate listeners and inspire musicians since his untimely death in 2018. Known for her remarkable versatility and her experience in both contemporary and core classical repertoire, reflected by her recent collaborations with Bryce Dessner and her hugely successful John Field album respectively, Ott was the ideal interpreter for this solo piano project.
Having never had the chance to meet Jóhannsson herself, Ott spent time in preparation for the recordings with some of his friends and colleagues, including Grammy-nominated producer and engineer Bergur Þórisson, in whose Reykjavík studio the sessions took place. Ott says, “There’s a very special intimacy and urgency in his musical language. It speaks to what people long for in today’s noisy and sometimes very dissonant world. The way he builds the architecture and structure of his music really allows you to refocus and reflect.” While she played a few of the pieces on a grand piano, Ott chose to record most of the tracks on the old upright piano in Þórisson’s studio. She recalls, “It’s one of the most beautiful instruments I’ve ever encountered. Bergur placed the microphones really close to the piano which I think creates this very modern and intimate sound, and a touch of nostalgia.” She continues, “It almost feels like you’re having a personal dialogue with Jóhann’s memory. Some of these pieces were written for larger ensembles, as well as electronics, and with just one piano it’s a more condensed and focused sound, but it brings out hidden textures and nuances that highlight the way Jóhann plays with sound and time.” For the visuals of the artwork, Ott worked with friends and collaborators of Jóhannsson, photographer Jónatan Gretarsson and art director Anders Ladegaard. The CD booklet is illustrated with atmospheric shots of the Icelandic landscape plus portraits of both pianist and composer, containing liner notes written by music critic Wyndham Wallace, who previously wrote liner notes for Jóhannsson’s records. “Melodia (III)” releases as a digital single on January 9, “Flight from the City” on January 30, and “Payphone” from McCanick on February 20. One of the world’s most-streamed classical pianists, Ott is recognized for a distinctive artistic language, with programmes and formats that challenge conventions and rethink the relationship between repertoire, performer, and audience.
Tour Dates:
January 15 – Konzerthaus, Vienna
January 19 – Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
January 21 – Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris
January 26 – Konzerthaus, Berlin
January 28 – De Singel, Antwerp
April 1 – City Hall, Hong Kong
May 8 – LOTTE Concert Hall, Seoul
May 9 – Seoul Arts Center, Seoul
May 22/23 – Konzerthaus, Berlin
May 25 – Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, Bielefeld
May 26 – Philharmonie, Essen
May 27 – Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg
May 30 – Meistersingerhalle, Nuremberg
May 31 – Philharmonie, Cologne