Fjölnir Stefánsson (1930–2011) began his music studies as a cellist at the Reykjavík School of Music. Later he majored in theory and compostion, studying with Jón Þórarinsson and graduating in 1954. He continued his studies in London with Matyas Seiber from 1954 to 1958. Several of his key works, including Three Songs from Time and the Water, Five Sketches for Piano, and Three Songs from the Graduale for choir, date from his studies with Seiber in London. After finishing his studies he returned to Iceland, teaching at the Reykjavík School of Music and becoming Principal of the Kópavogur School of Music (1968–2000).