The 2011 Dark Music Days Contemporary Music Festival begins in Iceland’s capital this week. From January 27 to 30, 16 concerts and events relating to the festival will be held in and around Reykjavík.

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.

Among performers this year are members of the youngest generation of Icelandic composers, such as Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, Hlynur Adils and Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir (aka Kira Kira).

Established musicians such as the Caput Ensemble, the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra and the Hljómeyki Chamber Choir will also be present, along with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra which will be offering a whole evening of new Icelandic contemporary music.

Ever since its establishment by the Society of Icelandic Composers in 1980, the Dark Music Days Festival has been expanding and gaining recognition at home and abroad as the most important platform for contemporary music in Iceland, as stated on the festival’s website.

Icelandic Music Export (IMX), Visit Reykjavík, Inspired by Iceland and Dark Music Days have invited foreign journalists and art directors of festivals like Happy New Festival in Belgium to Iceland for the occasion, as stated on IMX’s website.