Gísli Magnússon
COMPOSER
Gísli Magnússon is best known for his evocative and texture-rich compositions that explore the realms of nature, mystery, dreams and surrealism. Some of his earlier works, such as Strokkur, Ódáðahraun, Svartifoss & Stuðlagil, showcase elaborate depictions of geysers, waterfalls and other natural phenomena found in his home country, Iceland. And while his focus has slightly shifted in recent years, texture still remains a vital element of his musical output.
Born and raised in Reykjavík, Magnússon grew up surrounded by music, with a family legacy of professional musicians on both sides and his parents having met through their shared love of singing in a local choir. At the age of 8, he began piano lessons, sparking a lifelong passion for music. As he grew older, his curiosity shifted from performance to the intricacies of music itself, leading him to pursue composition formally at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, where his main teachers were Gunnar Andreas Kristinsson, Hróðmar Ingi Sigurbjörnsson and Atli Ingólfsson.
After completing his Bachelor's degree, Magnússon moved to the Netherlands to study with Joël Bons, Willem Jeths, and Wim Henderickx at the Amsterdam Conservatory, earning his Master's degree in 2017. That same year, he was selected for Yrkja, a workshop for young composers with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, which led to the pemiere of his orchestral work Akvocirkulado in 2018. Since then, Magnússon has collaborated with various musicians and ensembles in Iceland and abroad, and his music has been performed at festivals like Nordic Music Days, Dark Music Days, Musiikin Aika, Bled Contemporary Music Week, and ISCM World New Music Days. Additionally, he has attended masterclasses and received private lessons from renowned composers, including Kaija Saariaho, Francisco Filidei, and Fabien Lévy.
Currently based in Kópavogur, Iceland, Magnússon balances his creative pursuits with teaching and family life, continuing to develop his unique voice as a composer.