Further Information

Presale of a new release on LP and CD with the music of Spilmenn Ríkínís

Gullhetta (The golden cap) is the second release of Spilmenn Ríkínís. The first one, Ljómalind (The well of glow), came out in 2009. The music on Gullhetta comes from the Melódía manuscript (17. cent.), from old psalm books, from living sources, and from the Bjarni Þorsteinsson folk music collection.

The music of spring and summer

On Gullhetta we find music and poetry associated with the coming of spring and summer, and with the relief that we all sense in our souls, when winter releases its grip, the soil awakens, and nature comes to life, within and without. Spilmenn Ríkínís accompany their songs with instruments that were played in Iceland in older times, many of which have their place in the culture of the European middle ages. Some instruments they have made themselves, whilst others have been built for them by skilled luthiers.

The most common of these instruments was the langspil which was played up to the second half of the 19. century when the accordeon took its place. The magic sound of these old instruments leaves no one untouched.

All the langspil instruments on the album are handcrafted in Iceland

Spilmenn Ríkínís

Spilmenn Ríkínís have played and sung together for fifteen years. The members of the group are a family from the west side of Reykjavík. The group has appeared in concerts, played in festivals and appeared on radio and television.

The name Spilmenn Ríkínís (The Ríkíní Players) derives from the French priest Ríkíní, who was the first singing teacher at the School of Hólar at its founding in the beginning of the 12th century.

The Ríkíní Players in the concert hall of
Kongegården, Korsør, Denmark in 2007.

Concert in the Berjadagar (Berry Days) festival in Ólafsfjörður in 2008

Ásta Sigríður Arnardóttir
Voice, langspil, soprano rebec, symphonie

Halldór Bjarki Arnarson
Voice, harp, langspil, gemshorn, symphonie

Marta Guðrún Halldórsdóttir
Voice, langspil, harp, symphonie

Örn Magnússon
Voice, langspil, harp, symphonie, alto rebec, gitter, mandolin, bass-spil