Gyda Valtysdottir
“Seiklos Epitaph”
Epicycle
This is an amazing record. Iceland’s Gyda Valtysdottir from mum has compiled a record that covers the whole spectrum of music from Prokoviev to “Seiklos Epitaph”, the oldest know surviving musical composition in the world. An excellent cellist (she received a double degree from Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg), she also is excellent on piano, voice, and zither. In fact, her voice is like spring bursting out. This is the type of voice the Elves sang before the rising of the sun. Along with Shahzad Ismaily (founder of figureight records) on guitar, Epicycle is one of the freshest and greatest piece of music I have ever heard. Only in Iceland would someone as fresh and different Gyda can be found. It must be the water and the fact that Iceland is so unspoiled and primitive.