Established in 1981 by its present members, all key players in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the internationally acclaimed Reykjavik Wind Quintet is based in the world’s northernmost capital, in the land of Vikings, volcanoes, glaciers, and endless summer days. It has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Australia in a wide variety of venues, including the Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall and Sydney Opera House, and at major music festivals, such as the Schleswig-Holstein, Cheltenham and Flanders festivals. As cultural ambassadors for Iceland, the Quintet has accompanied former Icelandic President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir on state visits abroad and appeared in command performances for such foreign dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and King Philip of Spain. In its repertoire, which spans three centuries, are many works written specifically for the Quintet, including popular pieces based on Icelandic folk music. A busy recording ensemble, with a number of acclaimed Chandos releases to its credit, the Quintet has appeared in broadcast studios across Europe and in Australia. Its members are avid teachers in Iceland and incorporate master-classes into their travel schedule whenever possible, most recently at the Canberra Conservatory, Singapore University, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.