Kjartan Olafsson
ErkiTíð
Music, innovation, and technology come together - at Icelandic music festival.
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ErkiTíð 2026 will be held in Reykjavík from October 9–11, 2026. One of the festival’s main themes this year will be Modernism in Iceland during the last century. In collaboration with ErkiTíð, the Reykjavík Academy will host an international conference on Modernism in Iceland, examining and discussing Icelandic music from this period (1950–1980).
During this era, a revolution took place in Western musical life, as old values gave rise to new ones and helped shape new artistic standards for the future.
Among the pioneers were Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, The Beatles, John Cage, and in Iceland Atli Heimir Sveinsson, Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, Jóhann G. Jóhannsson, Trúbrot, and Magnús Blöndal. A diverse range of musical works from this period will be performed.
Also worth mentioning are concerts featuring "impressionistic music", electronic music in which, among other things, newer interactive technologies will be used, chamber music concerts, and special tribute and memorial concerts featuring choral works by Jón Ásgeirsson, performed by many of Iceland’s leading choirs.
In addition, the cantata “Á jörð ertu kominn” (“You Have Come to Earth”), composed by Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson in 1972 to a text by Birgir Sigurðsson, will receive its premiere performance.
The festival has issued a call for new musical compositions, including works inspired by the period of Icelandic Modernism and the ideas and philosophy associated with it.
ErkiTíð is a platform for creativity and expression in music using new technology, offering a glimpse into the future with strong roots in the works of the pioneers of Icelandic music.
Since its beginning, ErkiTíð has emphasized Icelandic music and innovation in that field. The first festival was held in 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Icelandic Republic, featuring a performance of all major electronic and computer compositions by Icelandic composers up to that point.
Over the years, dozens of new Icelandic works have been commissioned and premiered through ErkiTíð.
This year’s festival will highlight real-time music creation using new methods and instruments, offering unexpected and spontaneous musical experiences through live performance.
ErkiTíð is open to everyone regardless of gender, age, or background. One of its core aims has always been to connect the past, present, and future. Innovation in music is a key element of ErkiTíð, where the boundaries between art forms are often blurred, creating a more diverse cultural landscape.
Through its diversity, ErkiTíð enriches Iceland’s cultural life and society, contributing to a more vibrant and colorful cultural scene.
Kjartan Ólafsson, Artistic Director
ErkiTíð 2026
Chamber jazz and choir concerts
October 9th
20:00 - 21:30
Fríkirkjan in Reykjavik
Friday 09.10 - 20.00-21.30
Price: Festival pass for all concerts ISK 3000
Tickets available at the entrance
Free entrance for students //
Wheelchair access
Chamber jazz and choir concerts
Chamber Jazz and Choral Concert
"You Have Arrived on Earth" 1972. - Premiere
Cantata by Gunnar Reynis Sveinsson and Birgi Sigurðsson
For mixed choir and jazz band
Performers: Röst Chamber Choir and Kjartan Valdemarsson's Jazz Quartet
Conductor Hilmar Örn Agnarsson
ErkiTíð 2026
Impressionistic concert
October 10th
13:00 - 15:00
ErkiTíð 2026
Electronic music
October 10
15:00 - 16:30
ArchTime 2026
Chamber concerts
October 10
17:00 - 19.00
Reykjavik Art Museum
Saturday 10.10 - 13:00 - 15:00
Price: Festival pass for all concerts ISK 3000
Tickets available at the entrance
Free entrance for students //
Wheelchair access
Impressionistic Concert
A concert featuring impressionistic music for various instruments (both acoustic and electric).
Program to be announced later
Listasafn Reykjavíkur
Reykjavík Art Museum
Saturday 10.10 - 15:00 - 17:00
Verð/Price: Festival pass for all concerts kr 3000
Tickets available by the entrance
Free entrance for students //
Hjólastólaaðgengi / Wheelchair access
Raftónleikar
Electronic Music Concert
Ný og eldri raftaftónlist í tengslum við móderníska tímann á Íslandi 1950-1980
New and older electronic music related to the modernist era in Iceland, 1950–1980
Surtur fer sunnan: Magnús Blöndal
Búr : Atli Heimir Sveinsson
Snorri Sigfús Birgisson: Ad Aborem Inversam
Þorsteinn Hauksson,
´Á meðal höfunda eru , Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, Atli Heimir Sveinsson, Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson o fl
Nánari dagskrá kynnt síðar
Program to be announced later.
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Listasafn Reykjavíkur
Reykjavík Art Museum
Saturday 10.10 - 17:00 - 19:00
Verð/Price: Festival pass for all concerts kr 3000
Tickets available by the entrance
Free entrance for students //
Hjólastólaaðgengi / Wheelchair access
Kammertónleikar
Chamber Music Concert
Caput flytur nýja og eldri tónlist tengd módernisma á Íslandi
The ensemble Caput performs new and older music connected to modernism in Iceland.
Dagskrá kynnt síðar
Program to be announced later.
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ArchTime 2026
Inspirational concert
October 11
ArchTime 2026
Electronic music
October 11
ArchTime 2026
Choir concert
October 11
Reykjavik Art Museum
Reykjavik Art Museum
Sunday 11.10 - 13:00 - 15:00
Price: Festival pass for all concerts ISK 3000
Tickets available at the entrance
Free entrance for students//
Wheelchair access
Inspirational concert
Impressionistic Concert
Concert with inspirational music for various instruments (non-electric and electric)
A concert featuring impressionistic music for various instruments (both acoustic and electric).
Program to be announced later
Program to be announced later.
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Listasafn Reykjavíkur
Reykjavík Art Museum
Sunday 11.10 - 15:00 - 16.30:00
Verð/Price: Festival pass for all concerts kr 3000
Tickets available by the entrance
Free entrance for students //
Hjólastólaaðgengi / Wheelchair access
Raftónleikar
Electronic Music Concert
Ný og eldri raftaftónlist í tengslum við móderníska tímann á Íslandi 1950-1980
New and older electronic music related to the modernist era in Iceland, 1950–1980
Ríkharður H. Friðriksson og Masaya Ozaki: Nýtt verk
Tríó Péturs Grétarssonar: Nýtt verk
Nánari dagskrá kynnt síðar
Program to be announced later.
Langhotlskirkja
Sunday 11.10 - 17:00 - 19:00
Heiðurs og minningartónleikar Jóns Ásgeirssonar
Tribute and Memorial Concert for Jón Ásgeirsson
Flytjendur/Performers:Háskólakórinn, Kvennakór Reykjavíkur, Kammerkórinn Huldur, Skólakór Kársness, Kór Menntaskólans við Hamrahlíð, Karlakórinn Fóstbræður, Graduale nob (barnakór) og Graduale kórinn.
Á meðal kórverka eru : Á þessari rímlausu skeggöld , Stemmur , Maístjarnan, Hjá lygnri móðu, Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu og Sofðu unga ástin mín
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ErkiTíð 2025 is held in collaboration with the Reykjavík Art Museum and CAPUT,
ErkiTíð 2025 is sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Committee of the City of Reykjavík.