Þ. Sigurbjörnsson: Heyr himna smiður
Icelandic Composers
Apple Music Classical
Iceland has garnered a glowing reputation when it comes to all types of music, but particularly in modern classical. Despite its tiny population, the country’s contemporary music scene, pioneered by the extraordinary Jón Leifs and currently headed up by Oscar winner Hildur Guðnadóttir, is vibrant and relevant. Here’s a playlist of the finest sounds to come from this beautiful volcanic island.
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Two is Apocryphal
Two is Apocryphal
Guðnadóttir: For Petra (Recording Session)
Requiem
Kór Langholtskirkju, Jon Stefansson
Sigur Rós: Fljótavik (Arr. for Violin and String Orchestra)
Fólk fær andlit (Arr. Jarkko Riihimäki)
Emily D'Angelo, Jarkko Riihimäki, das freie orchester Berlin
Björk Guðmundsdóttir: Björk
Cosmogony
ÞORGERÐUR INGÓLFSDÓTTIR, The Hamrahlíð Choir
G. Ólafs
Stefán Hafsteinsson
Haltu
Stefán Hafsteinsson
Winter Sunshine (Vetrarsól)
Winter Sunshine (Vetrarsól)
Arctic String Quartet
Night (Nótt)
Night (Nótt)
Arctic String Quartet
O, Gud vors lands (the Icelandic National Anthem)
Kór Langholtskirkju, Jon Stefansson
Sigfús Einarsson
Fjallkonan (the Mountain Lady)
Kór Langholtskirkju, Jon Stefansson
Birgisson: Where Life and Death May Dwell (Icelandic Folk Song) [Grand Piano]
E. Evensen: Innsti Kjarni og Tilbrigði
Ólafsson: Reflection
Guðnadóttir: Mortar
Flight from the City
Tarn Travers, Yuki Numata Resnick, Ben Russell, Clarice Jensen, Jóhann Jóhannsson
S. Sverrisson
Sævarsson: Magnificat
Við Kaldalón
Við Kaldalón
Ólafur Kjartan Sigurðsson
Arni Bjornsson
Romance, Op. 6 (Arr. by A.H. Sveinsson for Violin and Orchestra)
Sigrún Eðvaldsdóttir, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Arni Bjornsson, Petri Sakari
Karl O. Runólfsson: A krossgotum (At the Crossroads)
J. Ásgeirsson: Quintet for Piano and String Quartet
Y. Elazar Glotman
A Minor Astronomical Event
Yair Elazar Glotman, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Colin Stetson, Jóhann Jóhannsson
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Moral Vacuums
Leifs: 2 Sönglög, Op. 14a
On Horseback Across Highlands (Á Sprengisandi)
Arctic String Quartet
P. Ísólfsson
A. Thorvaldsdottir: into - Second Self
Into - Second Self (Remastered 2022)
Stefán Jón Bernharðsson, Frank Aarnink, Sigurður Þorbergsson
Heyr Þú Oss Himnum Á
Hymnodia Chamber Choir
Leifs: Galdra-Loftur Suite, Op. 6
Thorkell Sigurbjornsson
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Divine Objects
A. Thorvaldsdottir: Heyr mig mín sál
Heyr Mig Mín Sál
Hymnodia Chamber Choir, Jóna Valdís Ólafsdóttir
Bára Grímsdóttir
Night
Hymnodia Chamber Choir
J. Ásgeirsson
P. Ísólfsson