The State of the Art festival concludes its inaugural journey at Salurinn in Kópavogur, where Snorri Sigfús will be celebrated by his friends in CAPUT and everyone who wishes to join in the final concert of the festival. Snorri is an exceptional pianist and a powerful composer who has carved out a unique voice by blending the familiar and melodic elements of Icelandic folk music with the influences of 20th-century modernists. CAPUT and Snorri will perform three of his works during the concert, and Snorri will also present a solo piano piece.

At this pivotal moment, Snorri will look back by performing innovative children’s songs by the pioneers of Icelandic contemporary music, Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson and Leif Þórarinsson, who paved the way for Snorri and his generation of musicians. The concert will end with the remarkable Caput Concerto No. 1, a piece Snorri composed for the ensemble over two decades ago. It is a unique opportunity to hear a wide range of works from Snorri’s musical repertoire.

Snorri Sigfús Birgisson was born on April 29, 1954. He initially studied piano with Gunnar Sigurgeirsson before enrolling at the Reykjavík College of Music. There, he studied piano under Hermína S. Kristjánsson, Jón Nordal, and Árni Kristjánsson, and composition with Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson. He completed his soloist diploma in 1974. From 1974-1975, he pursued advanced piano studies with Barry Snyder at the Eastman School of Music in the United States. From 1975-76, he studied composition in Oslo with Finn Mortensen and also delved into electronic music with Lasse Thoresen and sonology with Thoresen and Olav Anton Thommessen. From 1976-1978, he studied composition with Ton de Leeuw in Amsterdam. Since returning to Reykjavík in 1980, Snorri has worked as a composer, pianist, music teacher, and conductor. He has composed solo works, chamber music, electronic music, choral works, and symphonic pieces.

The ensemble CAPUT holds a unique position in Icelandic music. Officially founded in 1988, the group has specialized in the performance of contemporary music from the outset. Numerous Icelandic composers have written works for CAPUT, and the ensemble has performed and recorded many masterpieces from older composers as well as premiering works from younger generations. CAPUT has played an active role in the musical life of the Nordic countries and Europe and is often considered one of the leading ensembles for contemporary music in Europe. As an Icelandic ensemble, they have made it their mission to introduce Icelandic music to the international stage.