Jón Laxdal (composer)

Jón Laxdal (13 October 1865 – 7 July 1928^[1][2]) was an Icelandic composer. The Swedish music historian, Göran Bergendahl (born 1938), includes Laxdal as a minor composing figure in his seminal work^[3]on page 26 in contrast to Magnús Einarsson (1848 – 1934). He was noticeable as the co-founder of the Reykjavík Orchestra (Hljómsveit Reykjavíkur) with Sigfús Einarsson.^[4] Laxdal's well-known works include two song cycles, Helga in fagra and Gunnar at Hlíðarendi.^[5]

He is not to be confused with the Icelandic-Swiss actor, Jón Laxdal (1933 – 2005).

Legacy

The fourth and last song of the 2008 work, Four Songs, by Snorri Sigfús Birgisson, is a variation of a song composed by Laxdal.^[6]