Johann Johannsson, Oscar-Nominated Sicario Composer, Dead at 48

Jhann Jhannsson, Icelandic electronic musician and Oscar-nominated film composer of The Theory of Everything, Sicario and Arrival, has died at the age of 48.

The composer was found dead at his Berlin apartment Friday, his manager Tim Husom confirmed to Variety. No cause of death was revealed but Berlin authorities are investigating and an autopsy will be performed.

It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of our dear friend Jhann, Redbird Music Management wrote in a statement on Jhannssons Facebook page. We have lost one of the most talented and brilliant people who we had the privilege of knowing and working with. May his music continue to inspire us.

Deutsche Grammaphon, Jhannssons label since 2016, tweeted, [T]he team at Deutsche Grammophon are in deep mourning over the loss of our friend, Jhann Jhannsson. In the three years of our close collaboration, a true friendship had grown. The power of his music will live on and continue to touch us.

One of cinemas most acclaimed composers of the past decade, Jhannsson earned a pair of Best Original Score Academy Award nominations for 2014s The Theory of Everything and his influential work on 2015s Sicario. The composer earned a Golden Globe for The Theory of Everything score, which also scored a Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

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Jhannssons ascension in Hollywood mirrored that of director and frequent collaborator Denis Villeneuve, who recruited the composer to score 2013s Prisoners, 2015s Sicario and 2016s Arrival. Jhannsson also worked on Villeneuves Blade Runner 2049 but was replaced by Hans Zimmer.

Born in Reykjavk, Iceland, Jhannsson began his career as an indie rocker and experimental electronic musician before releasing his first album, Englabrn, in 2002. Over the next 15 years, Jhannsson balanced his own work including 2004s IBM 1401, A Users Manual, a tribute to his father who worked for the computer giant with compositional work for films, television (including Netflixs sci-fi series The OA) and theatre. Jhannssons final LP Orphe was named one of Rolling Stones 20 Best Avant Albums of 2016.

Less than two weeks ago, Jhannsson performed at Barcelonas Auditoril; the composer was also scheduled to appear at the citys Primavera Sound festival this summer.

Extremely sad news: we are very shocked and sorry to hear about the unexpected death of Jhann Jhannsson, who was playing in Barcelona just a week ago and whom we were looking forward to welcoming at Primavera Sound, the festival tweeted. All our sympathy goes to his family, friends and collaborators.

Prior to his death, Jhannsson also provided scores for the Nicolas Cage Sundance hit Mandy, James Marshs The Mercy and the upcoming biblical drama Mary Magdalene.