Written for cellist Guðný Jónasdóttir who premiered Loftkastali in London, UK in 2012. The work was then revised and re-premiered in 2013 by Clare O’Connell. Since then the work has been performed numerous times, for example in London, Cardiff, Dublin, Reykjavík and Beaconsfield by other renowned cellists such as Clare O’Connell in England and Wales and Martin Johnson in Ireland.

The work received a 4 star review from the Icelandic classical music critic Jónas Sen September 6 2015: "Helgi's music carries the composer's strong personal style." "…all sorts of clever nuances were introduced and the narrative was exciting and surprising." "Helgi had a lot on his mind, and he went his own way in delivering his message. The frame echoed the past, but the inspiration was completely unique." -Jónas Sen

My second fantasy for strings is based on another popular Icelandic choral melody “Heyr himna smiður” by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson. While the subject of my first string fantasy, Hjá lygnri móðu, is mainly known domestically in Iceland Heyr himna smiður has received quite a few international performances in the last decade or so.

Cellist Guðný Jónasdóttir (Gudny Jonasdottir) commissioned me to write this, my first fantasy, based on a choral melody we both love and is fairly well known in Iceland, Hjá lygnri móðu (By a calm stream) by Jón Ásgeirsson (1928- ). Guðný developed the piece with me, adding decorations, dynamics and emotions to a sketch that would then find its way into the final score and inspire further motivic development. The result is contemplative and meditative at times, before suddenly developing to being virtuosic and passionate.

Viola: Jonathan Larson. Piano: Jason Anderson. Premiered and recorded February 24th 2012 at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK.

This string quartet was commissioned by Bartholdy Quartet and premiered August 7th, 2013 at Salurinn, Kópavogur, Iceland. The title "Évariste" derives from the chamber opera "Évariste", also by Ingvarsson, which was premiered at the Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, London in July 2015. More about the opera under “opera” and “Évariste”.

Évariste Galois (25 October 1811 – 31 May 1832) was a French mathematician and political activist who lived a short, and equally troubled and beautiful life. The string quartet travels between and offers a musical interpretation of some the most significant events of Évariste’s life, from his seemingly mad mathematical scribblings, to his romantic obsession with Stéphanie du Motel, and finally his death by duel.

Violins: Tessa Ho & Lauren ForderViola: Ricardo GasparCello: Guðný Jónasdóttir

- for cello and harp/piano

also available:

- for harp, cello, prepared electric guitar and dancers

Premiered at The Place dance theater, London, then called Your breath in my ear. Choreographer: Esther Siddique. Later revised for concert performance for cello and harp and re-titled Breath / Andaðu. That versions was premiered by Concorde Ensemble at RHA Gallery, Dublin 27.04.14. Revised for the second time for cello and piano and premiered by Guðný Jónasdóttir and Matthildur Anna Gisladottir at Harpa Concert Hall, Reykavík in September 2015.

Video of Your breath in my ear available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/RHscO3rJ380

Recording of Breath / Andaðu on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2ITLMfRzKkf1I1itSqEXww