Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (1938–2013) studied piano at the Reykjavík School of Music, then continued his education in the United States. He attended Hamline University (Minnesota) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing a master’s degree in composition in 1961 under the tutelage of Kenneth Gaburo and Lejaren Hiller. He also attended summer courses in composition at Darmstadt, Nice and Tanglewood. Sigurbjörnsson was a remarkably prolific composer and a key participant in Iceland’s musical scene as pianist, teacher, critic, and radio commentator. His work list includes orchestral works, concertos, choral works, chamber music, and operas for children.