Þorkelsstofa

Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (July 16, 1938 – January 30, 2013) is one of Iceland's leading composers. His catalogue of works includes over 300 compositions, many of which have been recorded and published. Þorkell's works are extremely diverse, having composed orchestral works, chamber works, solo concertos, children's operas, chamber operas, electronic and computer music, as well as numerous choral works and hymns.

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Þorkell was very active in Iceland's music environment. He oversaw a music programme for RÚV (Iceland's National Broadcast Service) for years. He was chairman of The Icelandic Composers Society, chairman of Musica Nova from 1964 to 1967 and president of the Federation of Icelandic Artists from1982 until 1986. Þorkell and other Icelandic composers founded Iceland Music Information Centre in 1968 and he remained chairman of the board until 1981. Þorkell was on the board of STEF (Composers’ Rights Society of Iceland) for a number of years and also was the director and board member of Reykjavík Art Festival in Reykjavík for a while.

Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson's career and collection of works is an important part of Iceland's music history and the cultural heritage of Icelanders, and his work has played a significant part in drawing attention to what Iceland have to offer on the world stage of music.