This short set of dances was composed to "reawaken the spirit of the Icelandic folk-dance tradition", in the words of the composer. He goes on to suggest that these works might be performed by either solo voices, or a male choir for the beginning and end of each dance, with a female choir for the central "Trio" sections. Accompaniment can be anything from a keyboard to a small ensemble and if strings are used, the music is "simple enough for even beginners to be able to play:"