Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson (1952-2026)

Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson, composer and founding rector of the Iceland University of the Arts, passed away on March 13th, 74 years of age. 

Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson was one of the leading figures in Icelandic musical life for more than four decades. After studies in the United States and the Netherlands, he returned to Iceland in 1980 and developed a wide-ranging body of work that includes orchestral and chamber music, solo pieces, lieder, choral works, opera, ballet, and music for theatre, dance and film.

Among his most notable compositions are Spjótalög and In Black & White for orchestra, the concertos Yfir heiðan morgun for violoncello and orchestra and Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, the opera Rhodymenia Palmata, Five Preludes for piano, Partíta for solo violin, the electroacoustic work Nocturne and the ballet Rauður þráður.

Vocal music forms an important part of Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson’s output. He is adored within the Icelandic choral community and his music is frequently performed by most choirs in Iceland. Many of the pieces included in this collection reflect his mastery of vocal writing and his attentive approach to the relationship between text and music, whether in solo songs or choral works.

Alongside his work as a composer, Ragnarsson was an influential writer and lecturer on cultural and academic topics. His pioneering research on the music of Jón Leifs helped bring international attention to that composer’s work. Deeply engaged in cultural life, he served in leading roles in several artists’ organisations and was the founding Rector of the Iceland University of the Arts from 1998 to 2013.

In honour of Hjálmar, we have compiled the sheet music for a few of his most popular works into this collection, but you can listen to recordings of these works here.