Beschreibung
The piano works of Páll Ísólfsson (1893-1974) form a diverse collection of twenty-six pieces that consists of nineteen character pieces, one set of variations, and six liturgical pieces. They were composed during 1920-1970, and now for the first time, the collection can be appreciated in its entirety. The premise of the book is that the piano works are sophisticated compositions and that as a collection they form an ambitious and diverse repertoire that belongs to the piano literature of the northern European and Scandinavian countries. To support this, I evaluate Ísólfsson's collection in a larger perspective that entails comparing it with similar works by other composers; furthermore, information as to the style and standing of his piano works in his native country, Iceland, is presented with the aid of a questionnaire and a list of representative works by a selection of his contemporaries; finally, the collective reception history of Ísólfsson's piano works is discussed both in light of the anti-Romantic sentiment in Iceland's music circles around the middle of the twentieth century and subsequently with regard to published reviews about performances of the collection.
Autorenporträt
Dr. Nína Margrét Grímsdóttir has established a fine reputation as a pianist and music researcher. She has performed and lectured in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and China. Her CDs for Naxos and BIS have attracted warm praise in international media. Her academic career includes Iceland Academy of the Arts, University of Agder, University of Calgary.
