Podcast Summary: Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland

Podcast: New Books Network – New Books in History
Host: Ari Barbalat
Guest: Árni Heimir Ingólfsson
Date: September 27, 2025
Book Discussed: Jón Leifs and the Musical Invention of Iceland (Indiana University Press, 2019)

Overview

This episode delves into the life, legacy, and music of Jón Leifs, Iceland’s pioneering composer who sought to invent an authentic Icelandic musical identity. Host Ari Barbalat speaks with author and musicologist Árni Heimir Ingólfsson about his comprehensive study of Leifs—his biography, the historical and cultural forces that shaped him, his creative genius, personal complexities, and lasting influence on Icelandic and contemporary music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Árni Heimir Ingólfsson’s Journey (01:34–04:14)

• Background: Born and raised in Reykjavík, drawn early to music, trained in piano and music history. Studied at Oberlin, then Harvard, before returning to Iceland to focus on music history.
• Pivot to Music History: Discovered a passion for the stories and histories behind music, leading to a career as a musicologist.

Genesis & Message of the Book (04:14–06:54)

• Inspiration for the Book: Lifelong fascination with Jón Leifs, whom Ingólfsson describes as “under-researched” and “underrated.”
• Key Message: Leifs was instrumental in developing a uniquely Icelandic musical language rooted in heritage and folk music—“It all starts with this really unusual figure of Jón Leifs.” (04:21)

Main Themes Explored (07:00–10:07)

• Biography meets Cultural History: The book is more than a biography, it’s also a “cultural history of Iceland's situation in the 20th century” (07:00), especially as Iceland transitions from Danish rule to independence.
• National Identity: Chronicles how Leifs and his contemporaries grappled with crafting Iceland’s national and cultural self-image via music.

Leifs’ Early Life & Formative Years (10:07–13:06)

• Upbringing: Born in 1899; relocated to Reykjavík; early decision to study music abroad in Germany.
• Innovator: Facilitated Iceland’s first full symphony performances, emphasizing both bringing European classical music and forging a native Icelandic style.

The Role of Literature and Poetry (13:06–17:23)

• Literary Sources: Leifs drew heavily from Iceland’s medieval sagas and Eddic poetry—“Poetry for Leifs was really crucial because it sort of... was the only way in which Iceland… had really produced something outstanding in the arts in an international sense.” (16:45)
• Signature Works: Major oratorio Edda conceived as a ‘Nordic’ answer to Wagner’s Ring—“He wanted to give the Icelandic answer to that.” (15:41)

Musical Renderings of Icelandic Nature (17:23–20:19)

• Nature as Muse: Leifs’ orchestral works put Icelandic natural phenomena at their core—“He was very preoccupied with… depicting the essence of Iceland, which included… vast expanses... and the violent aspect… volcanic eruptions and waterfalls.” (17:30–17:42)
• Notable Works: Geysir, Hekla, Dettifoss—tone poems capturing the drama of geysers, volcanoes, waterfalls.

Reception—Admirers and Critics (20:19–22:50)

• Misunderstood at Home: Most Icelanders found Leifs’ modernism alien—“He was Iceland’s great misunderstood composer for most of the 20th century.” (21:36)
• Late Revival: His reputation was rehabilitated in the 1990s, aided by cultural retrospectives and new recordings.

Leifs and Nazi Germany (23:48–32:44)

• Complex Relationship: As a Nordic artist, Leifs was superficially welcomed by Nazi cultural authorities but his music’s modernism proved too avant-garde. (23:52–27:00)
• Personal Risk: His wife and daughters were Jewish; Icelandic passports helped the family avoid Holocaust persecution.
• Radio Broadcasts: Participated in German broadcasts to Iceland, a gray ethical area that later marred his reputation.

Postwar Life, Tragedy, and Renewal (32:44–37:44)

• Flight to Sweden: Family reached Sweden in 1944; ensuing divorce and the tragic loss of his daughter deeply affected Leifs, leading to some of his most haunting and beautiful music, notably Requiem (35:55).
• Rebuilding in Iceland: Despite the shadow of his wartime actions, he founded the Icelandic Composers Society and advanced copyright and artists’ rights.

Personality and Psychology (40:27–44:17)

• Single-Minded & Difficult: “It almost became like a compulsion… he was so convinced himself of the necessity of doing what he was doing.” (40:41)
• Legacy of Obsession: His artistic focus often made him a challenging colleague and family member; he came to a degree of inner peace later in life.

Significant Works & Musical Legacy (45:42–49:57)

• Most Important Compositions: Requiem, a lullaby for his daughter, Iceland Cantata, the major tone poems. (“I think his Requiem is definitely up there among his best works…” [45:51])
• Discovery of Leifs: Ingólfsson’s personal journey began with Leifs’ folk song arrangements as a teen, leading to a career-long engagement.

Research Challenges & Scholarship (49:57–57:07)

• Archival Riches: Over 7,000 letters and voluminous original manuscripts—“He was a compulsive letter writer, and he kept all of his letters.” (51:54)
• Rewrite for English Audience: Required significant adaptation for a scholarly, non-Icelandic readership.

Influence, Parallels, and Continuing Relevance (63:09–66:08)

• Influence on Icelandic Music: Leifs’ quest for a national musical identity influenced all subsequent Icelandic music making, even if he had no direct imitators.
• Modern Parallels: While direct comparisons to acts like Sigur Rós may be loose, the search for an “Icelandic sound” persists and Leifs laid its foundation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Here's this underrated and under-researched composer who just really deserves a biography… I'm very pleased that I was able to tell this story of how Icelandic music, which is flourishing now in all kinds of different fields and genres, really started.”
— Árni Heimir Ingólfsson [05:40]

“Poetry for Leifs was really crucial because it sort of… was the only way in which Iceland… had really produced something outstanding in the arts in an international sense.”
— Árni Heimir Ingólfsson [16:45]

“He was Iceland’s great misunderstood composer for most of the 20th century. And it took until the very end of the 20th century for a revival… or sort of a reappreciation of Leifs.”
— Árni Heimir Ingólfsson [21:36]

“He was so convinced himself of the necessity of doing what he was doing. I mean, he really had incredible faith in his mission in life, which was to create a new kind of Icelandic music.”
— Árni Heimir Ingólfsson [39:26]

“He was not easy to work with…It almost became like a compulsion.”
— Árni Heimir Ingólfsson [40:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:34 Introduction and guest background
• 04:21 Book inspiration and significance of Jón Leifs
• 07:00 Main themes: biography, cultural history, national identity
• 10:12 Leifs’ upbringing and career beginnings
• 13:11 Use of poetry and literature in compositions
• 17:27 Depiction of Icelandic nature in music
• 20:26 Reception: admirers versus critics
• 23:52 Leifs’ relationship with Nazi Germany
• 32:50 Family’s escape to Sweden and aftermath
• 35:55 Personal tragedy and musical memorials
• 37:51 Rebuilding career in Iceland
• 40:39 Leifs’ personality, psychology
• 45:51 Most important compositions
• 49:57 Author’s discovery of Leifs
• 51:52 Archival material and research surprises
• 53:17 Research challenges and adaptation process
• 58:44 Acknowledgments and expressions of gratitude
• 60:11 Leifs compared to Wagner
• 63:43 Leifs’ influence on contemporary Icelandic music
• 66:16 Current and future research directions

Conclusion

The episode offers a deeply researched and personal exploration of Jón Leifs—a brilliant, difficult, passionate composer whose quest to define Iceland’s musical identity changed the country’s cultural landscape. Through fascinating anecdotes, scholarly insights, and reflection, Árni Heimir Ingólfsson clarifies why Leifs’ story is as complex and captivating as his music, and how his legacy still resonates in Iceland and beyond.