Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Iceland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä
Jón Leifs (1899-1968) was an Icelandic composer, probably the most notable from his country in the 20th century. For more about Leifs, see the description in my score video of his "Reminiscence du Nord" for string orchestra: youtube.com/watch?v=XVdalbh6CWM
This overture was intended to accompany the play "Galdra-Loftur" by Leifs' compatriot, the poet Jóhann Sigurjónsson (1880-1919)—based on the real-life 18th-century figure Loftur Þorsteinsson, who, according to legend, mastered Old Norse sorcery. It was written in 1927, quite early in Leifs' career when he was still based in Germany, and shows his capability in more traditional orchestration, somewhat more refined than the uncompromising style for which he became better known. Nevertheless, there are certainly unrestrained outbursts and other hints of his later work; for instance, the opening in the low strings shares some commonalities with parts of his "Saga Symphony" (youtube.com/watch?v=iBTQn1Psmk4), written about 15 years later.
The score should be uploaded to IMSLP shortly, but it will only be public domain in Canada.
Iceland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä
Jón Leifs (1899-1968) was an Icelandic composer, probably the most notable from his country in the 20th century. For more about Leifs, see the description in my score video of his "Reminiscence du Nord" for string orchestra: youtube.com/watch?v=XVdalbh6CWM
This overture was intended to accompany the play "Galdra-Loftur" by Leifs' compatriot, the poet Jóhann Sigurjónsson (1880-1919)—based on the real-life 18th-century figure Loftur Þorsteinsson, who, according to legend, mastered Old Norse sorcery. It was written in 1927, quite early in Leifs' career when he was still based in Germany, and shows his capability in more traditional orchestration, somewhat more refined than the uncompromising style for which he became better known. Nevertheless, there are certainly unrestrained outbursts and other hints of his later work; for instance, the opening in the low strings shares some commonalities with parts of his "Saga Symphony" (youtube.com/watch?v=iBTQn1Psmk4), written about 15 years later.
The score should be uploaded to IMSLP shortly, but it will only be public domain in Canada.
