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
"You Have Arrived on Earth" 1972. - Premiere
Cantata by Gunnar Reynis Sveinsson and Birgir Sigurðsson for mixed choir and jazz band.
Performers: Röst Chamber Choir and Kjartan Valdemarsson's Jazz Quartet
Conductor: Hilmar Örn Agnarsson
Detailed program to be announced later
ErkiTíð 2026
Impressionistic concert
October 10th
13:00 - 15:00
ErkiTíð 2026
Electronic music
October 10
15:00 - 16:30
ErkiTíð 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).
Detailed program to be announced later
Listasafn Reykjavíkur
Saturday 10.10 - 15:00 - 17:00
Price: Festival pass for all concerts ISK 3000
Tickets available at the entrance
Free entrance for students // Wheelchair access
Electronic music
New and old electronic music related to modernism in Iceland 1950-1980
Surtur fer sunnan: Magnús Blöndal
Búr: Atli Heimir Sveinsson
Snorri Sigfús Birgisson: Ad Aborem Inversam
Þorsteinn Hauksson.
Composers are Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, Atli Heimir Sveinsson, Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson among others.
Detailed program to be announced later
Reykjavik Art Museum
Saturday 10.10. - 17:00 - 19:00
Price: Festival pass, valid for all concerts - 3000 kr
Tickets at the entrance
Free for students // Wheelhair access
Chamber concert
Caput performs new and older music related to modernism in Iceland
A more detailed program will be announced later.
ErkiTíð 2026
Impressionistic concert
October 11
13:00 - 15:00
ErkiTíð 2026
Electronic music
October 11
15:00 - 16:30
ErkiTíð 2026
Choir concert
October 11
17:00 - 19:00
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
Impressionistic Concert
A concert featuring impressionistic music for various instruments (both acoustic and electric).
A more detailed program will be announced later.
Reykjavik Art Museum
Sunday 11.10 - 15:00 - 16:30
Price: Festival pass, valid for all concerts - 3000 kr
Tickets at the entrance
Free for students // Wheelchair access
Electronic music
New and older electronic music in relation to the modernist era in Iceland 1950 - 1980.
Concert with evocative music for various instruments (non-electric o Ríkharður H. Friðriksson and Masaya Ozaki: New work
Pétur Grétarsson's Trio: New work
A more detailed program will be announced later.
Langholt Church
Sunday 11.10 - 17:00 - 19:00
Price: Festival pass, valid for all concerts - 3000 kr
Tickets at the entrance
Free for students // Wheelchair access
Electronic concert of Heiður and memorial concert of Jón Ásgeirsson
Performers: The University Choir, Reykjavík Women's Choir, Huldur Chamber Choir, Kársness School Choir, Hamrahlíð High School Choir, Fóstbræður Men's Choir, Graduale nob (children's choir) and the Graduale Choir.
Among the compositions are:
In this rhymeless beard age
Voices
The May Star
In the quiet mist
Poems by Vatnsenda-Rosa
Sleep my young love
A more detailed program will be announced later.