Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson began writing this album in 2009, using simple contrapuntal themes that he then reshaped and varied over several years.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Jóhann Jóhannsson was drawn to Ovid's Metamorphoses, particularly the Orpheus myth, for the album's vocal pieces, finding themes of death, rebirth, and memory relevant to his life at the time.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album draws inspiration from Maurice Blanchot's reading of the Orpheus myth, which interprets Orpheus's gaze upon Eurydice as a metaphor for artistic inspiration and transgression.
Compositional Technique
Jóhann Jóhannsson incorporated recordings of 'Numbers Stations'—enigmatic shortwave broadcasts believed to be from intelligence agencies—into his music as an homage to Jean Cocteau's film Orphée and his new city.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's music seemed to be waiting for its form, rather than starting with a pre-conceived conceptual or narrative theme.
Recording & Production
The album features a variety of recording locations, including AIR Studios in London for string orchestra, Sct. Lukas Kirke in Copenhagen for pipe organ, and Danmarks Radio in Copenhagen for choir.
