The first Icelandic record was 78 rpm, recorded in Copenhagen in 1910. From the middle of the 20th century, great changes occurred in the distribution of music when slower and more flexible vinyl records were released. Íslenzkir tónar released the first Icelandic 45 rpm records in 1954. The first 33 rpm record (LP) was released in 1956 and featured pianist Gísli Magnússon. The album was released by His Masters Voice (HMV) and distributed by Fálkinn. However, 78 rpm records continued to be released. In Hljodsafn at the Library you can listen to music samples from a 78 rpm album with Ragnar Bjarnason, Sigrún Jónsdóttir and the KK sextet from 1957. A micro-exhibition has been set up in the museum about the development of Icelandic music publication.
Exhibition in the National Library
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