Jóhann Jóhannsson was one of the most acclaimed and innovative composers of his generation, known for his haunting and atmospheric scores for films such as Sicario, Arrival, and The Theory of Everything. He was also a prolific musician who released several solo albums and collaborated with artists from various genres and disciplines. His sudden and tragic death on February 9, 2018, at the age of 48, shocked and saddened his fans, friends, and colleagues around the world. But what was the cause of his death? And what legacy did he leave behind? Here is what we know so far.
Contents
The Discovery of His Body
Jóhann Jóhannsson was found dead in his apartment in Berlin, Germany, where he had been living since 2016. According to his manager, Tim Husom, he had last spoken to him on Wednesday, February 7, and everything seemed normal. When he did not hear from him on Thursday, he contacted an associate in Berlin, who called the police. The police broke into Jóhannsson’s apartment on Friday afternoon and discovered his body. There were no signs of violence or foul play of any kind, according to a police spokesman.
The Toxicology Report
The authorities ordered a toxicology test of Jóhannsson’s blood, as a matter of course, but the results were not expected until the following week at the earliest. However, in May 2018, German media reported that the toxicology report had revealed that Jóhannsson had died of a lethal combination of cocaine and flu medication. The report stated that Jóhannsson had taken a large amount of cocaine, which had caused a heart attack, and that the flu medication had increased the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. The report also noted that Jóhannsson had suffered from chronic insomnia and depression.
The Reaction from the Film Industry
Jóhann Jóhannsson’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the film industry, especially from the directors and actors he had worked with. Denis Villeneuve, who collaborated with Jóhannsson on Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival, said that he was “devastated” by the news and that Jóhannsson was “one of the most gentle and humble people I have ever met”. James Marsh, who directed The Theory of Everything, for which Jóhannsson won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination, said that he was “a lovely man and a great talent”. Eddie Redmayne, who starred in The Theory of Everything as Stephen Hawking, said that Jóhannsson’s music was “sublime” and that he was “incredibly kind”.
The Legacy He Left Behind
Jóhann Jóhannsson’s death left behind a rich and diverse body of work that spanned film, television, theater, dance, and music. He had completed several projects before his death, including the scores for Mary Magdalene (directed by Garth Davis), Mandy (directed by Panos Cosmatos), The Mercy (directed by James Marsh), and Last and First Men (directed by himself). He had also been hired by Disney to score Christopher Robin (directed by Marc Forster), which would have been his biggest film project yet. His music has been praised for its originality, emotionality, and versatility, blending classical orchestration with contemporary electronic elements. He has been described as “a master of minimalism”, “a visionary composer”, and “a musical genius”. His influence can be felt in the works of many other composers and musicians who admired him. He will be remembered as one of the most influential and innovative composers of his time.
According to Hollywood Reporter According to Wikipedia According to Forbes According to NDTV According to BBC According to Pitchfork According to Guardian According to Rolling Stone
