The Story in Tones: 20th Century Historical Recordings from Iceland

The disk includes music by composers Jón Nordal, Þórarinn Jónsson, Jón Leifs, Helgi Pálsson and Jórunn Viðar.

Performers are violinist Björn Ólafsson, with pianists, Wilhelm Lanzky-Otto, Jón Nordal, Árni Kristjánsson and Jórunn Viðar

The CD’s producer Hlíf Sigurjónsdóttir writes, “This CD is dedicated to the memory of my teacher Björn Ólafsson, violinist. It was in 2017 when I made two radio programs for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) to celebrate Björn’s 100th birthday. During that working process I found priceless recordings from the beginning of classical music making in Iceland. The composers who have compositions on this CD are from the first and second generation of composers who went abroad to study composition. All these recordings belong to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service which was founded in 1930. That institution played a very important role in the development and growth of classical music as the sponsor, employer, the concert hall and the music educator. These recordings are the first recordings of these compositions and at the same time cover Björn’s entire career. He died in Reykjavík 1984.“

Jón Nordal – Three Sisters for violin & piano (1944)
1. Ása
2. Signý
3. Helga

Þórarinn Jónsson – Overture & Double Fugue on the name BACH for solo violin (1925)

4. Overture
5. Fugue

Jón Nordal – Sonata for violin & piano (1952)