ICELAND
A few years ago the movie "Tears of Stone" brought to light the story and achievements of an Icelandic composer.
"Jon Leifs could be to Iceland what Grieg is to Norway or Sibelius to Finland. And his unbelievably dramatic life has all the elements of Greek tragedy," says Tears of Stone director Hilmar Oddsson and one of his script-writers, the film’s musical director Hjalmar R Ragnarsson, whose master’s thesis from Cornell University was a study of Leifs’ life and music. "But," they add, "Icelanders rejected him and his music until the late 1980’s. Then they were ready to listen. And gradually his works have been gaining the recognition they deserve, both at home and abroad."
"Modernism and the avantgarde were the ruling movements in the creative arts after the war and up until about 1975," says Ragnarsson. "Artists embraced new concepts and methods during that time but simultaneously either ignored or sup-pressed what did not fit into their often rigid ideo-logy. Jon Leifs shunned those movements and was shunned in return; those who should have supported him stood in his way the most. And the conservative taste of the general public at the time did not help his cause at all."
Oddsson describes Jon Leifs’ music as unique. "It does not belong to any movement or school of music. It is a movement of its own. It is more Icelandic than anything Icelandic, growing out of a nature both terrifying and magnificent, glaciers, volcanoes, wastelands - not green valleys and peaceful woods - using traditional Icelandic folk music as a basis."
Jon Leifs (1899-1968) was born on Solheimar farm. When his father became member of parliament and later postmaster general, the family moved to the capital of Reykjavik. It was here Jon discovered his calling for music which ultimately led to him having to leave Iceland at the tender age of 17 to further his studies at the Leipzig Conservatory. Four years later Jon Leifs graduated with a degree in piano, conducting and composition.
He married fellow student and talented pianist Annie Riethof and the couple had two daughters. Annie had a successful career as a concert pianist and Jon served as a conductor in a number of German cities. In 1926 he took the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra on an extensive concert tour of Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Island. This was the first time ever that Jon Leifs’ countrymen in Iceland had the opportunity of hearing a symphonic orchestra at home.
In Germany Leifs collected and recorded Icelandic folk melodies and published his findings in both Icelandic and German. Regarded as the "father of Icelandic composing" Jon Leifs also founded the "Union of Icelandic Artists", the "Society of Icelandic Composers" and the "STEF Performing Rights Society". For two years he returned to Iceland as Music Director of the State Broadcasting Service.
The film "Tears of Stone" details the emergence of nazism and World War II and how it threatened Jon Leifs’ daughters, his wife Annie and her family because of their Jewish background. After much drama the family eventually escapes to Sweden by ship. But by then their lives have disintegrated and Jon Leifs leaves for Iceland alone.
The Saga Symphony that Jon Leifs completed during this dramatic time has been described as a "symphonic statement of anger and frustration". Drawing his inspiration from the Icelandic sagas, Jon Leifs produces new and unique sound effects both with conventional instruments as well as with such untried ones as tuned rocks and wooden and leather shields.
Jon Leifs’ music received little recognition in his homeland, but during the 50s and 60s he had the satisfaction of seeing the emergence of a significant group of Icelandic composers who treasured and took inspiration from his music. After Jon Leifs’ death his influence became even more pronounced and his "Icelandic Dances" were even included on Caput, an Icelandic Chamber Works CD, with composers that were all born between 1952 and 1962.
Suggested listening: Leifs & Ragnarsson - Tears of Stone, ITM 6-05. Gunnar Gudbjörnsson - Iceland’s Songs, RÖD 1006
Various - "Animato" Icelandic Chamber Music, ITM 8-08
For more information: Iceland Music Centre, 34 Sidumuli, IS-108 Reykjavik. Phone: +354 1-68 3122, Fax: +354 1-68 3124.