Hljómeyki

Hljómeyki was founded in 1974 and has since then been one of the most notable chamber choirs in Iceland. At first , Hljómeyki mostly performed secular music from many different countries under the direction of Ruth L. Magnusson. In 1986 the cooperation between Hljómeyki and Skálholt Summer Concerts commenced with the emphases on premiering new Icelandic choral music which has been the main subject ever since. In Skálholt Hljómeyki has premiered works by Atli Ingólfsson, Elín Gunnlaugsdóttir, Hildigunnur Rúnarsdóttir, Jón Nordal, Jórunn Viðar, Óliver Kentish, Sveinn Lúðvík Björnsson, Úlfar Ingi Haraldsson, Þuríður Jónsdóttir to name a few. They have premiered over 50 pieces, both Icelandic and international, and one of them Glory and the Dream by Richard Rodney Bennett, was commisioned and premiered simultaniously by Hljómeyki and 12 other choirs all over the world. Hljómeyki has taken part in many opera performances, many of them concert performances with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, with whom they have also performed many major works, most recently Romeo and Juliet by Berlioz at Reykjavik Arts Festival 2012. Hljómeyki has released four CDs containing works by Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson, Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson, Bára Grímsdóttir and Jón Nordal. More releases are underway.