Hjálmar H.
Ragnarsson, an Icelandic composer, died on March 13, 2026, at the age of 73. He was also a music theorist, rector and pianist, and was considered among the leading Icelandic composers of his generation.
Ragnarsson contributed to Icelandic cultural life through his presidency of the Federation of Icelandic Artists and as rector of the Iceland University of the Arts. Born in Ísafjörður on September 23, 1952, he studied piano from an early age and later earned a BA from Brandeis University. He taught at the Reykjavík College of Music from 1980 to 1988 and served as the first rector of the Iceland University of the Arts from 1998 to 2013.
Hjálmar Helgi Ragnarsson (23 September 1952 – 13 March 2026) was an Icelandic composer, music theorist, and rector. He is considered among the leading Icelandic composers of his generation, and made a contribution to Icelandic cultural life through his presidency of the Federation of Icelandic Artists, and as Rector of the Iceland University of the Arts.