Anna Thorvaldsdottir (picture), born in 1977, is one of the most succesful composers from Iceland. Her works are performed worldwide, and certainly not by the least of musicians. Her playing list includes names as the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Without going into clichés, Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s music can be described as typically Icelandic. She seems to prefer a certain desolate atmosphere, effortlessly compatible with Icelandic landscapes.
The sound world of Dutch-Swedish composer Klas Torstensson usually tends to get more raw.
Playlist:
Anna Thorvaldsdottir – Trajectories (Anna Thorsteinsdottir, piano)
Anna Thorvaldsdottir – Dreaming (Icelandic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daníel Bjarnason)
Klas Torstensson – Licks & Brains (Nederlands Saxofoonkwartet, Asko Ensemble conducted by David Porcelijn)
