Further Information

I teamed up with the guitarist Kristján Edelstein and we recorded a couple of hymns and psalms with his own accompaniment. I wanted to combine meditation and prayer by arranging the songs in a relaxing and flowing ambient style. Our first venture was the Icelandic Hymn "Be, God my Father" by Jón Leifs. When I heard Kristján's arrangement I was impressed by his dedication and versatility. The arrangement was wonderful. Here he made use of a wide range of strings and created a really special sonic stage.

Then I realised that it was exactly 20 years to the day since my husband and the father of my daughter took his own life. It was then I decided that this project when completed should be a memorial to him.
At the same time as remembering him with this album I would also like to draw to attention to the Pieta Organisation and part of the profits from this album will go to support them. Pieta is doing great work to help those grappling with depression and suicidal tendencies and their families. Pieta offer up to 15 counselling sessions for sufferers as well as for their dependants, and the sessions are without charge.

Margrét Árnadóttir graduated from the Söngskólinn Music School in the spring of 2001. She continued her studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna where she graduated in lieder, oratorio and opera singing. She then furthered her studies at the Söngskólinn Music School with a teaching diploma. She teaches singing at The Akureyri Music School and The Eyjafjörður Music School as well as well as conducting the Children's Choirs at Glerá Church. She has performed on numerous occasions, both in Iceland and abroad.

Kristján Edelstein has worked as a professional musician since 1981. After study in Iceland he studied at the Berklee College of music in Boston. Kristján has played the guitar from and early age and has played with many well-known bands, and has been featured in many recordings. He has performed in television shows, theatre productions and films. In recent years he has also worked as arranger, recording engineer, and continued to perform on recordings, as well as teaching for many years.

Trauma often results in the mind going off the tracks. Often the mind goes from one extreme to the other and becomes very difficult to understand and control. Many peoples' lives are disturbed and there is great danger if nothing is done. Meditation has helped many to regain the control they need. Prayer directs the mind to focus on particular areas so that we may gain better control. Through the ages prayer has been the main tool that the human spirit has had to be able to cope with hardships, illness, bereavement, sorrow plagues and droughts. Prayer has deep roots in human culture and tradition. The disc contains 11 hymns, all but two of which are Icelandic. Many are new compositions together with traditional ones. All but two are by Icelandic composers.