This album presents the complete piano works of Icelandic composer Páll Ísólfsson, performed by Nína-Margrét Grímsdóttir. Ísólfsson was a key figure in Icelandic musical life, known for his work as a composer, conductor, organist, and educator. His piano compositions, though lesser known than his choral and orchestral works, reveal a deep understanding of the instrument and a style rooted in late Romantic traditions.
The collection includes Three Piano Pieces, Op. 5, Glettur (Humoresques), and Svipmyndir (Album Leaves)—a set of character pieces, dances, and baroque-inspired works. Also featured is the monumental Variations on a Song by Ísólfur Pálsson, a virtuosic work showcasing his craftsmanship and emotional depth. Ísólfsson’s influences range from Max Reger and J.S. Bach to Edvard Grieg, with a harmonic language that blends chromaticism with folk-inspired melodies.
This recording marks the first complete presentation of Ísólfsson’s piano works, shedding light on an important yet underappreciated aspect of Iceland’s musical heritage.
