Steinalda

The Steinalda logo on a sticker designed in 2026


Steinalda is an ensemble founded in 2021 in order to perform Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson’s Landvættirnar fjórar.

Steinalda poster for a concert in 2025

Since then the group has had regular concerts and in 2022 the double LP Landvættirnar fjórar was released which is since sold out. It received favorable reviews in The Quietus, Bandcamp Daily, Positionen, Percorsi Musicali, Salt Peanuts, Lost in the Sea of Sound and other places.

Steinalda performing in Siglufjörður in the north of Iceland in 2021.

Excerpts from the album were heard on BBC, SRF, KGNU, ResonanceFM, SVP, CHMU and Deutschlandfunk.

A caricature of Steinalda made by Czech artist Jakub Sulik

Since then the ensemble has performed regularly in Mengi as well as various other venues in Iceland, including Harpa, Árbær Open Air Museum, Bókakaffið in Selfoss and Alþýðuhúsið in Siglufjörður.

Live action Steinalda performing Landvættirnar fjórar in Mengi in 2021.

The various members had previously encountered Guðmundur’s work through The Caput Ensemble, Elja Ensemble or Fengjastrútur or S.L.Á.T.U.R..

The ensemble has ever growing repertoire, with various “Contemplations” (or “Hugleiðingar“) forming the bulk of the recent repertoire.

In 2025-2026 five different Contemplations in four movements have been premiered.

The members are along with Guðmundur Steinn, Ásthildur Ákadóttir, Steinunn Vala Pálsdóttir, Þórunn Björnsdóttir, Óskar Magnússon, Andrés Þór Þorvarðarson and Páll Ivan frá Eiðum.

All members play various instruments.

A poster for a concert in Árbær Open Air Museum in 2026
Steinalda poster for a concert in 2023