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Music, science and technology meet at Icelandic computer and electronic music festival
Icelandic computer and electronic music festival where music, science and technology meet

In the year of sovereignty, ErkiTíð opens a vision into the future, with a strong response to the works of pioneers of Icelandic computer and electronic music. Leading composers and performers offer a diverse program of works spanning the past 50 years, numerous Icelandic and foreign works are premiered, and the results of the latest research in the field of artificial intelligence in music creation and music performance are presented. In this way, among other things, the audience is invited to take a direct part in the progress of works that are composed and performed in real time, while the youngest generation is allowed to let their creativity take over in computer music workshops that are specially designed for children.

ErkiTíð is the first Icelandic computer and electronic music festival in Iceland. It was first held in Reykjavík in 1994, when Icelandic electronic music from the second half of the 20th century was performed.

Admission to most festival events is free.

The festival was recorded and is available here.

With a firm foothold in the recent past, ErkiTíð points to the future - showcasing front-line contemporary musical composition, innovative approaches to live performance and cutting-edge scientific research into various aspects of modern music making. Witness critical states where composer, performer and audience interact in real time, on-stage composition while children are invited to unleash their creative forces through special children's computer music workshops.

Established in 1994, ErkiTíð became the first Icelandic computer and electronic music festival to be held in Iceland. From the start, the focus has been on portraying the latest advances in electronic and computer music, while at the same time showcasing pioneering works in the field,

The concert was recorded live in is available to view here

October 13

October 13

October 13

October 13

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

  • Kjartan Ólafsson: Calmus Game

The audience participates and controls the composition process in real time with the composition software CalmusComposer. / Composer, performers and audience interact in real time, on-stage composition with the composing software CalmusComposer.


Performers: Kjartan Ólafsson, computer, Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir, piano, Júlía Mogensen, cello, Pétur Jónasson, guitar.

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

First performance of a new work for two electric guitars and one performer.

  • Agustín Castilla-Ávila: Something to do with a heart (2017)

Performer: Pétur Jónasson, guitars.

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

Front-Line Contemporary Works
The CAPUT Ensemble

  • Lars Graugaard: New Work

Conductor: Aaron Holloway-Nahum

Performers: The CAPUT Ensemble

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

Front-Line Contemporary Works

The CAPUT Ensemble

  • Aaron Holloway-Nahum: as our shadows tremble on the walls

Conductor: Aaron Holloway-Nahum

Performers: The CAPUT Ensemble

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

Front-Line Contemporary Works

The CAPUT Ensemble

  • John Luther Adams : The Light Within

Conductor: Aaron Holloway-Nahum

Performers: The CAPUT Ensemble

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

From past to future / Past - future

Premieres of new Icelandic works – illuminated by the music of Atli Heimir Sveinsson. / Premiers of new works by young composers, especially comissioned by ErkiTíð and inspired by the music of Atli Heimir Sveinsson.

  • Úlfur Eldjárn: Electronic work – performed by the author on a computer, digital, analog and organic sound source

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Harpa / Northern Lights

Harpa Concert Hall

From past to future / Past - future

Premieres of new Icelandic works – illuminated by the music of Atli Heimir Sveinsson. / Premiers of new works by young composers, especially comissioned by ErkiTíð and inspired by the music of Atli Heimir Sveinsson.

  • Hlöðver Sigurðsson: 21 derivatives

"21 Derivatives" are loose variations on a theme that are performed in real time.

Video by Brian FitzGibbon

Program 2018
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