Anna Þorvaldsdottir

Picture: Hrafn Ásgeirsson

Anna Þorvaldsdottir studied composition at The Iceland Academy of The Arts in 2001-2004, from where she received her BA degree. She started her graduate studies, in composition, in 2006 at the University of California San Diego, from where she received her MA degree in June 2008. She is currently doing her PhD studies there.

Anna's pieces are frequently performed in Iceland and abroad at festivals and on other occasions, for example in The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France, Estonia, Finland, Czech Republic and USA.

Anna has been working as a composer since 2003. She has been a composer in residence for various music festivals and writes several pieces each year as commissions for music ensembles, orchestras and soloists. Major performances include the performance of A moment of peace by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in March 2006, conducted by Christian Lindberg.

Heyr þú oss himnum á
was written as a commission for The Skálholt Summer Concerts festival in 2005 and was premiered by Hljómeyki chamber choir in July 2005. The piece is based on an Icelandic psalm that I found in an old manuscript, the lyrics being a call to God for mercy and eternal life. During the writing of the piece I focused on letting the music serve the lyrics, and bringing the old verses to life in the present. The piece will be out on two CDs with two different choirs fall 2008.

I have a great passion for writing large ensemble pieces. The use of larger sound worlds appeals to me and is my natural way of expression and writing music. Creating a flowing energy of sounds and building an atmosphere.

The choir is a powerful tool, whether you have a strong lyric or merely a musical message. It depends on the piece if the lyrics are to be delivered as a message or if the music should be the message and therefore not concentrated on lyrics but sounds.
Anna Þorvaldsdottir

www.annathorvalds.com