Jórunn Viðar facts for kids
Jórunn Viðar (born December 7, 1918, died February 27, 2017) was an Icelandic pianist and composer. A composer is someone who writes music. Jórunn was one of the first women in Iceland to become a professional composer. She created many beautiful pieces, often inspired by Icelandic folk songs and nature.
About Jórunn Viðar
Jórunn Viðar was born and grew up in Reykjavík, Iceland. In 1937, she finished high school in Reykjavík. That same year, she traveled to Germany to study music. She spent two years at the Music Academy in Berlin, learning more about music.
After her studies, Jórunn returned to Iceland. She married Lárus Fjeldsted. In 1946, Jórunn and her family moved to New York City for a while. There, she studied composition at the Juilliard School of Music. Composition means learning how to write and create your own music.
When they came back to Iceland, Jórunn worked as a pianist. She also worked as an accompanist. An accompanist is a musician who plays along with a singer or another instrument. Jórunn was honored for her amazing work in music. She received a special award called the Order of the Falcon, Knight's Cross class. This is a very important award in Iceland.
Her Music and Works
Jórunn Viðar wrote many musical pieces. A lot of her music was based on old Icelandic folk songs. Folk songs are traditional songs that have been passed down through generations. She also composed music for a film called Síðasti bærinn í dalnum, which means "The last farm in the valley."
Here are some of her well-known musical works:
- Gestaboð um nótt (meaning "Night Guest")
- Glugginn (meaning "The Window")
- Hvítur hestur í tunglskini (meaning "White Horse in Moonlight")
- Im Kahn (meaning "In the Boat")
- Júnímorgunn (meaning "June Morning")
- Kall sat undir kletti (meaning "Old Man Sat Under a Cliff")
- Mamma ætlar að sofna (meaning "Mom is Going to Sleep")
- Sönglað á göngu (meaning "Singing on a Walk")
- Þjóðvísa (meaning "National Song")
- Únglíngurinn í skóginum (meaning "The Youth in the Forest")
- Varpaljóð á Hörpu (meaning "Harp Song")
- Við Kínafljót (meaning "By the China River")
- Vökuró (meaning "Lullaby") - This song was even covered by the famous Icelandic singer Björk on her album Medúlla!
- Vorljóð á Ýli (meaning "Spring Song on Ylir")
- Það á að gefa börnum brauð (meaning "Children Should Be Given Bread")
- Vort líf (meaning "Our Life")
Some of Jórunn's compositions have been recorded. You can find them on CDs. These recordings help people around the world enjoy her beautiful music.
- Vidar - Orchestral Works (released in 2003)
- Tapestry of Dreams (released in 2003)
