Music, science and technology meet at an Icelandic computer and electronic music festival
ErkiTíð 2022 will be held from November 25th to 27th in Reykjavík. The festival will feature performances and premieres of thirty pieces from various periods of Icelandic electronic music history.
The ErkiTíð music festival is a platform for creativity and expression in music using new technology and opens a vision into the future, with a strong focus on the works of pioneers of Icelandic computer and electronic music.
ErkiTíð has always placed the greatest emphasis on Icelandic electronic music and innovation in that field. It was first held in 1994 on the occasion of the Republic Day of Iceland, where all the major electronic and computer compositions by Icelandic composers from the beginning were performed.
Over the years, dozens of new Icelandic compositions have been composed and premiered for ErkiTíðar.
One of the pioneers of electronic music in Iceland is Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, and his music and life's work will be in the foreground at the festival.
At ErkiTíð 2022, a competition for young composers is being held in collaboration with the RÚV Composers' Fund and STEF, where the subject matter of their compositions is connected to the works of this pioneer of electronic music in Iceland.
Kjartan Ólafsson, artistic director
Icelandic computer and electronic music festival where music, science and technology meet
ErkiTíð 2022 will be held on Sunday 25-27. November in Reykjavík. At the festival, sixty compositions from various periods of Icelandic electronic music history will be performed and premiered.
The music festival ErkiTíð is a platform for creativity and expression in music with new technology and opens a vision into the future, with a strong resistance in the works of the pioneers of Icelandic computer and electronic music.
From the beginning, ErkiTíð has placed emphasis on Icelandic electronic music and innovation in that field. It was first held in 1994 on the anniversary of Iceland's Republic Day, where all major electronic and computer compositions by Icelandic composers from the beginning were performed.
Over the years, dozens of new Icelandic compositions have been commissioned and premiered on behalf of ErkiTíð.
One of the pioneers of electronic music in Iceland is Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, and he and his music will be in the foreground at the festival.
At ErkiTíð 2022, a competition for young composers is being held in collaboration with RÚV's Composers Fund and STEFs, where the content of their compositions is related to the works of this pioneer of electronic music in Iceland.
Kjartan Ólafsson, artistic director
November 25
November 25
20:00 - 21:30
Ásmundarsalur - Opening concert
Free entrance
Electronic concert with works by Þorkel Sigurbjörnsson
Concert with electronic music by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson
Acts 3 (1960)
The Fiddler (1971)
Race Track (1974)
Presented by: Bjarki Sveinbjörnsson
ErkiTíð will offer refreshments after the concert
26.
November
26.
November
26.
November
26.
November
15:00 - 16:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 1960-1970
Icelandic Electronic Music 1960-1970
Magnús Blöndal: Electronic Studio (1959)
Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson: Plays 3 (1960)
Magnús Blöndal: Surtur goes south (1965)
Magnús Blöndal: Comet (1960)
16:00 - 17:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 1970-1980
Icelandic Electronic Music 1970-1980
Atli Heimir Sveinsson: Cage (1975)
Snorri Sigfús Birgisson: Ad arborem inversam (1977)
Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson: Jón kallinn Hreggviðsson and I are frolicking across the wet Holland (1974)
Magnús Blöndal: Atmos l (1981)
17:00 - 18:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 1980-1990
Icelandic Electronic Music 1980-1990
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson: Energy is Eternal Delight (1988)
Thorsteinn Hauksson: CHANTOURIA (1987)
Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson: Drops at a Cemetery Ball (1982)
Magnús Blöndal Jóhannsson: Hieroglyphics (1981)
Lárus Halldór Grímsson: Winter Romance (1983)
18:00 - 19:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 1990-2000
Icelandic Electronic Music 1990-2000
Ríkhardur H. Friðriksson: Vowel Meditation (1992)
Karólína Eiríksdóttir: Adagio (1992)
Kjartan Ólafsson: Summary: Three Worlds in One (1994) (video)
Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson: Everywhere I Look for You (1994)
Hilmar Thordarson: A Year (1997)
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Beginning and End (1996)
19:00 - 20:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 2000-2010
Icelandic Electronic Music 2000-2010
Þuríður Jónsdóttir: The Other Dimension (2002)
Helgi Pétursson: Organized Wind (2000)
Haraldur Vignir Sveinbjörnsson: Ariel II (2008)
Hlynur Aðils Vilmarsson: ifp error (2009)
Ríkhardur H. Friðriksson: Suffering II (2002/2011)
Casting: The long winded moment (2000)
Kira Kira: Skinnytoe Junior (2005)
Gunnar Kristinsson: Now-Then (2001)
20:00 - 21:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Icelandic electronic music 2010-2020
Icelandic Electronic Music 2010-2020
Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir and Karólína Eiríksdóttir: Adagio (2021)
Ingibjörg Friðriksdóttir: Echoes: sound and visual works – (2018)
Curver Thoroddsen: "a reflection on a multi-coastal contemporary storm" (2018)
Kjartan Ólafsson: Atmosphere 3219 (2012)
Jesper Pedersen: Gongs and Grains (2017)
Þóranna Björnsdóttir: A Composition for Lost Space (2019)
Thorolf Eiríksson: Electric Message (2019)
21:00 - 23:00
Set
Free entrance // Wheelchair access into the building, no accessible toilets
Premiere of new compositions from the RÚV and ErkiTíðar competition for young composers:
Thorir Hoskuldsson: Blueberries
Karl Atlason's experiments
Valur Hjálmarsson: Scrying into the Astral
Valur Hjálmarsson: Scrying into the Astral
Stirnir Kjartansson: Apple Pie & the Razor
Eyrún Engilbertsdóttir 1: JOLLYANYDAY
Kristján Steinn Kristjánsson: Unique Strings
Thorsteinn Gunnar Friðriksson: The One Who Tears Down Hell
KateandCathy (Bergþóra Kristbergsdóttir and Stefanía Pálsdóttir): Otoacoustics
Vol Ruptus (Bjargmundur Ingi Kjartansson): Biodata flow
Arnar Gudni Jónsson (LoveGuss): AnnaAmma
Thordur Hallgrimsson: Nipingr
Andrés Þór Þorvarðarson: The computer believes
Jóhannes Stefánsson: From Morning to Evening
Darri Sigurvin Magnússon: A Closet Full of Curiosities
Ida Juhl: Archaic Era 2022
Breki Steinn Mánason: Högnhöfði
Eyrún Engilbertsdóttir 2: Concrete
November 27
November 27
November 27
November 27
Chamber music by Thorkel Sigurbjörnsson
Chamber music by Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson
Intrada – for piano, viola and clarinet (1971
Performers: Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir piano, Guðrún Hrund Harðardóttir, viola, Grímur Helgason, clarinet
On a Spring Night – Four Night Poems (1981)
Performers: Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir piano, Una Sveinbjarnardóttir, violin
14:00 - 15:00
Reykjavik Art Museum
Reykjavik Art Museum
Free entrance // Wheelchair access
Winning work in the ErkiTíðar and RÚV competition
Winning work from the ErkiTíðar and RÚV competition
Iðunn iuvenilis: Orpheus in the Underworld - Price (premiere)
Ronja Jóhannsdóttir, Yulia Vasileva and Jökull Máni Reynisson: La Jolla Good Friday Reinterpretation - Price (premiere)
Þorsteinn Eyfjörður: IÐ / see you later oscillator - Price (premiere)
Children's opera by Thorkel Sigurbjörnsson
CAPUT and Kársnes School Choir along with soloists
CAPUT Chamber Orchestra, Kársness School Choir
Rabbi electric brain
Choir conductor of the Kársnes School Choir: Álfheiður Björgvinsdóttir
Director and narrator: Niels Thibaut Girerd
CAPUT
Conductor : Guðni Franzson
Flute : Steinunn Vala Pálsdóttir
Clarinet / Clarinet : Símon Karl Sigurðarson
Percussion : Eggert Pálsson
Piano : Elisabeth Waage
Piano : Valgerður Andrésdóttir
Violin : Auður Hafsteinsdóttir
Cello : Bryndís Halla Gylfadótti
In collaboration with the Icelandic Opera, CAPUT and the Kársnes School Choir
In co-operation with CAPUT, Children's choir of Kársnes and the Icelandic Opera
17:30 - 19:00
Reykjavik Art Museum
Reykjavik Art Museum
Price : ISK 2000 - Tickets available at the entrance
Free for students and senior citizens // Wheelchair access
Chamber concerts
Chamber Concert
Kjartan Ólafsson: #9 groundbreaking piano works for Tinna (2022)/
#9 revolutionary piano pieces for Tinna (premiere).
Music composed in real time with the help of artificial intelligence (CALMUS)/
Music composed in real time using AI (CALMUS)
Piano: Tinna Thorsteinsdottir
Ríkharður H. Friðriksson: Spherical Flow (2022) (premiere). “Live” premiere for guitar and electronic sound
Ríkharður H. Friðriksson, electric guitar.
Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson: Nocturne for soprano, flute and 4 track tape (premiere). Nocturne for soprano, flute and 4 track tape.
The electronic part was composed in 1977 at the Institute for Sonology in Utrecht, the Netherlands, while the instrumental part was composed in 2022.
The tape part is composed in 1977 in Institute for Sonlogy in Utrecht in Holland and the vocal and flute parts are composed in 2022
Soprano: Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir
Flute: Áshildur Haraldsdóttir
.
20:00 - 22:00
Mikligarður - the festival hall of the Hamrahlíð High School
Price: ISK 2000 - Tickets available at the entrance
Free entrance for students and senior citizens // Wheelchair access
Choral works by Thorkel Sigurbjörnsson
Choir Concert, music by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson
The Hamrahlíð High School Choir and the Huldur Chamber Choir
Conductor : Hreiðar I. Þorsteinsson
The Spirit of God Swayed Before (1998)
Angels Highest (1973)
Performer: Hamrahlíð High School Choir
Now the sun disappears into the sea (1983)
Innocentem te servavit (1990)
To You, Lord (1972)
Hey, Membrane Maker (1973)
Performers: Hamrahlíð High School Choir
& Chamber Choir Huldur
Housewarming (1985)
Holy Lord in Heaven (1967)
What flies sweetly into my heart (1967)
Immanuel Us in the Night (1981)
Performer: Huldur Chamber Choir
Excerpt from Grílakvæði (1996)
Performers: Hamrahlíð High School Choir
& Chamber Choir Huldur
Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson was one of the pioneers of electronic music in Iceland. He studied at the Reykjavík Conservatory of Music and later studied composition at Hamline University in Minnesota and the University of Illinois, from where he graduated with a master's degree in 1961. The same year he returned home and began working at the Reykjavík Conservatory of Music, where he taught for the rest of his career. He also taught at the Iceland Academy of the Arts when it was founded. He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and an honorary doctorate from Hamline University.
Þorkell composed over 300 pieces of music, many of which have been published in sheet music and on records. These include orchestral works, chamber works, solo concertos, children's operas, chamber operas, as well as electronic and computer music, not to mention a number of hymns that have truly touched the nation.
He was chairman of the Icelandic Composers' Association for many years, chairman of Musica Nova 1964-67 and president of the Icelandic Artists' Association 1982-86. Þorkell was the managing director and board member of the Reykjavík Arts Festival for a time. He was one of the founders of the Icelandic Music Centre and chairman of its board from 1968-81 and sat on the board of STEF for many years.
Þorkell was one of the pioneers of electronic and computer music in Iceland and composed, among other things, Iceland's first computer music. The ErkiTíðar 2022 program will feature many of his electronic works as well as compositions for choir, as well as works for traditional instruments.
Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson is one of the pioneers of electronic music in Iceland. He studied at the Reykjavík School of Music and later studied composition at Hamline University in Minnesota and at the University of Illinois, where he completed his master's degree in 1961. In the same year, he returned home and started working at the Reykjavík School of Music and taught there for the rest of his career. Also taught at the University of the Arts when it was founded. He was a fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and an honorary doctorate from Hamline University
Þorkell composed more than 300 compositions, many of which have been published in sheet music and on records. Among them are orchestral works, chamber works, solo concerts, children's operas, chamber operas as well as electronic and computer music, not to mention the number of hymns that have truly reached the ears of the nation.
He was the chairman of the Society of Icelandic Composers, chairman of Musica Nova 1964-67 and president of the Association of Icelandic Artists 1982-86. He was one of the founders and chairman of the board of the Icelandic Music Information Center 1968-81 and sat on the board of STEF (collecting society) for many years.
Þorkell was one of the pioneers of electronic and computer music in Iceland and wrote, among other things, Iceland's first computer composition. The program of ErkiTíð 2022 will feature many of his electronic works as well as compositions for choir as well as for traditional instruments.
ErkiTíð 2022 is held in collaboration with the Reykjavík Art Museum, ITM - Icelandic Music Centre, Kársnes School Choir, the Icelandic Opera, CAPUT and RÚV - with support from the Stefs Composers' Fund and RÚV.
ErkiTíð 2022 is supported by the Music Fund of the Ministry of Culture and Trade and the Reykjavík Culture and Tourism Council.
ErkiTíð 2022 is held in collaboration with Reykjavík Art Museum, ITM - Icelandic Music Information Center and Kársness School Choir, the Icelandic Opera and CAPUT, RÚV - with support from STEF and RÚV Composer Foundation. ErkiTíð 2022 is sponsored by the Music Foundation of the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs and the Reykjavík Culture and Tourism Council.