Vidar, Jorunn (1918–)

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Vidar, Jorunn (1918–)

Icelandic composer, pianist and teacher. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, Dec 7, 1918; studied music 1st with mother, then Pall Isolfsson; later enrolled at Reykjavik College of Music, studying with Arni Kristjansson and graduating, 1936; studied at Berlin Hochschule für Musik, 1936–38; continued musical education at Juilliard School in NY, 1943–45; studied piano in Vienna with Viola Tern, 1959–60.

Pioneer in Icelandic music, whose compositions combined traditional Icelandic melodies with the subtleties of the prevailing international style, was often featured on Icelandic radio and tv; best-known works include the ballet Fire (1951), Five Meditations on Icelandic Themes for piano (1965), and a Suite for Violin and Piano to commemorate the 1,100-year-old settlement of Iceland (1973).

See also Women in World History.