Ísólfsson, Páll, distinguished Icelandic organist, administrator, and composer; b. Stokkseyri, Oct. 12, 1893; d. Reykjavík, Nov. 23, 1974. He was an organ student of Straube in Leipzig (191318), where he was an asst. organist at the Thomaskirche (191719). Following further training with Bonnet in Paris (1925), he settled in Reykjavík. He was founding director of the Coll. of Music (193057), head of the music dept. of the Icelandic State Broadcasting Service (193059), and organist at the Cathedral (193968). He also made tours as a recitalist. In 1945 the Univ. of Oslo awarded him an honorary doctorate and in 1956 he was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy in Stockholm. He publ. an autobiography (2 vols., 1963-64). Among his compositions were a few orch. works; much vocal music, including a cantata for the 1, 000th anniversary of the Icelandic Althing (Parliament; 1930), a university cantata, and a cantata for the 900th anniversary of the bishopric of Skálholt (1956), etc. (...)
Opname: 2007
