Björn Ólafsson

Björn Ólafsson (Reykjavík, 1917–1984) was an Icelandic violinist and pedagogue who helped to consolidate instrumental practice and music teaching in his country during the first half and middle of the twentieth century.

Between 1931 and 1939 he studied in Vienna with Franz Mairecker, for violin, and with Ernst Moravec, for viola. In 1947 and 1948 he completed his training in New York with Adolf Busch. In 1939 he was appointed violin professor and head of the string section at the Reykjavík Conservatory. As a performer, he premiered numerous works by Icelandic composers. He served as concertino and director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from its foundation in 1950 until 1973, when he left the post to devote himself entirely to teaching.