Hildur Guðnadóttir

Early Life

Hildur Ingveldardóttir Guðnadóttir was born in 1982 in Reykjavík, Iceland, and raised in Hafnarfjörður. Coming from a musical family, her father, Guðni Franzson, is a composer and clarinet player, while her mother, Ingveldur Guðrún Ólafsdóttir, is an opera singer. Hildur began her musical journey at the tender age of five, starting with the cello, and performed her first professional gig at just ten years old alongside her mother. She honed her skills at the Reykjavik Music Academy and furthered her education in composition and new media at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and the Berlin University of the Arts.

Career

Hildur's career took off in 2006 with the release of her solo album, "Mount A," under the name Lost In Hildurness, which she recorded in New York City and Iceland. Her second album, "Without Sinking," was released in 2009. Beyond her solo work, Hildur has collaborated with various bands, including Pan Sonic and Throbbing Gristle, and has arranged choral music for performances. She gained significant recognition for her scores in film and television, notably for the 2019 miniseries "Chernobyl," which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Grammy Award. Her score for the film "Joker" won her a Golden Globe Award, making her the first solo woman composer to achieve this honor.

Personal Life

Currently residing in Berlin, Hildur lives with her son, born in 2012, and is married to English composer Sam Slater. The couple has collaborated on several projects, including the acclaimed scores for "Chernobyl" and "Joker." Hildur has also shared a studio with fellow composers, including the late Jóhann Jóhannsson, further enriching her artistic environment and collaborations.