Kammerchor «Huldur», Iceland
Huldur Chamber Choir is named after the huldur of Icelandic mythology, whose song from deep beneath the sea sets waves in motion. Founded in 2021 by Hreiðar Ingi Þorsteinsson, it quickly wove itself into the rich tapestry of Reykjavík’s choral scene. Most of its 34 members aged between 18 and 24 are students at Hamrahlíð College that has long been a wellspring of musical talent in Iceland. In the three years since its founding, Huldur has given numerous concerts and premiered 32 new pieces of Icelandic choral music. Several members of the choir have also composed works for Huldur, making it rather like a garage band in which young composers can try out new ideas in practice. Icelandic folk songs are another mainstay of Huldur’s repertoire, as are choral works both sacred and secular, traditional and modern. What matters most is the excellence of the singing, a dedication to excellence that earned Huldur the award for the 2023 Icelandic Music Event of the Year.