Contemporary music of Iceland in the post-romantic period: Jôrunn Viđar (Jôrunn Vidar, Reykjavik, Iceland, 1918-)

Abstract

This paper presents a brief overview of the development of Icelandic music through historical and artistic circumstances. We shall also point to the specific social attitude towards the female population and we shall deal with the few Icelandic women composers. Among them Jorunn Vidar particularly stands out, as a pianist, accompanist and music teacher. For over two decades, she was the only woman composer to be a member of the Society of Icelandic Composers. She wrote the music for the first Icelandic ballet suite and the first Icelandic film ever, arranging the old narrative songs called the 'thulur' as a pioneer. Her oeuvre includes a piano concerto, music for theater and film, chamber and choral music and solo songs. She was awarded the Order of the Falcon for accomplishments in music by the president of Iceland.