Photo by Benni

Photo by Benni

Bio

Þórður Hallgrímsson (b. 1999) is a composer and performer from Iceland and based in Reykjavík. He recently finished his Master’s studies in Composition from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. His work focuses on experimental notation and instrument-building as compositional practice, often merging instrument and composition into a single entity. His piece Human Organ, was premiered at Het Orgelpark in Amsterdam and performed at Hamraborg Festival in August 2026. The piece explores the art of notation and scoring along with instrument building. Can an instrument also be a score and can a score be an instrument? In the piece, Þórður turns himself, along with six other performers, into an organ. A living breathing instrument.

Þórður has been selected to participate in the festivals Dark Music Days and Erkitíð, and his works have been chosen three times to represent Iceland at Ung Nordisk Musik. His works have been performed in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, France, Finland, and the Netherlands. He has collaborated with Caput Ensemble, Het Muziek, Score Collective, Global Gongs, Nordic Trombone Quartet, North Atlantic Brass, and Tríó Sól. Together with Paul J.W. Schauenburg, Þórður forms the duo Spɪtl̥iŋk

Upcoming projects

  • Homo Pípíens, with Jón Arnar Einarsson in Hvalasafnið - November 2026, Reykjavík.

  • Procession, a site specific piece for Muziekgebouw and singers. Collaboration with Tymon Zgorzelski and Johanne Willman for An Evening of Today. - April 2027, Amsterdam.

  • Hlusta-smíða-hlusta-semja-hlusta-spila-hlusta with Gauj-gauj Ensemble. -2027, Reykjavík

  • Púls/Púsl vol. 3 with Caput Ensemble - 2027, Reykjavík.

  • Piece for Solo Trombone with Gunnar Helgason - 2027, Copenhagen.

  • Megafána, an opera in collaboration with Birgitta Björg Guðmarsdóttir - 2028, Reykjavík.

Photo by Tuomas Tenkanen