Anthology Of Icelandic Choir Music

Featuring

Jón Stefansson
Langholt Church Choir
Anonymous
Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson
Helgi Steinar Helgason
Sigfús Einarsson

Anonymous (Traditional)
Jón Leifs
Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson
Jón Ásgeirsson
Atli Heimir Sveinsson
Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson

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Historical Context

One of the oldest musical documents in Iceland is the Offices of St. Thorlak, dating from the thirteenth century.

Compositional Technique

Icelandic folk music included a practice called 'twin-song,' sung in parallel fifths, which was common for six centuries.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Jón Leifs (1899-1968) was a pioneer in reviving a 'national tone' in Icelandic choral music by arranging folksongs or using their characteristics in original compositions.

Historical Context

St. Thorlak, a bishop in the late 12th century, was a noted singer whose feast days were celebrated with lavish music-making.

Composition History

Jón Leifs's Requiem (1949) is an original composition that preserves the simple sincerity of folk songs and was written in memory of his young daughter who drowned.

Historical Context

Part-singing only began to establish permanent roots in Iceland after the mid-19th century, starting with harmonized Lutheran chorales.

Composer Biography

Sveinbjorn Sveinbjornsson (1847-1927), who composed the Icelandic national anthem, was the first professionally educated musician in Iceland's recent history.