Anna Thorvaldsdóttir

Icelandic composer and teacher Anna Thorvaldsdóttir was born on 11 July 1977. She studied cello and began composing when young. She studied composition at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and then studied at the University of California San Diego in the USA.

She has been commissioned by major organisations such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Carnegie Hall, Ensemble Intercontemporain and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and has written a series of major orchestral works, including Aeriality, Metacosmos, Catamorphosis and Archora.

She was composer-in-residence with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (2018-2023) and currently lives in the UK.

 

A selection of articles about Anna Thorvaldsdóttir

Spotlight. A Varied Soundscape - Geoff Pearce listens to music by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir. '... at times the flute, and also the cello, sound almost like a human voice.'

Ensemble. An Example To Us All - Roderic Dunnett's take on the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain's January 2025 tour

Ensemble. As Compelling as Expected - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Ravel, Thorvaldsdóttir, Nielsen, Shostakovich and more from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Classical music news - Anna Thorvaldsdóttir: Ubique - The first recording of the Icelandic composer's new fifty-minute chamber work will be released in February 2025

Classical music news - Anna Thorvaldsdóttir - The Icelandic composer's new orchestral installation receives its first performances on 1 June 2024 at the Reykjavík Arts Festival

Ensemble. A World-class Orchestra - Mike Wheeler is impressed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor Eva Ollikainen

Ensemble. Undeniably Exciting - Mike Wheeler listens to Bizet, Ravel, Debussy, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Sibelius and Walton from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Yan Pascal Tortelier and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra