Páll Ragnar Pálsson was born in 1977 in Reykjavík, Iceland. For most of his youth he played the guitar in a rock band called Maus. When Maus quit in 2004, he found his musical identity through electronic music studies that led into classical composition.
Páll graduated from Iceland Academy of Arts in 2007 and continued his studies in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under the guidance of Helena Tulve. He graduated with a PhD in composition in 2014.
In spring 2013 Páll collaborated with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra on two occasions. Supremacy of Peace was commissioned and premiered at Estonian Music Days in Tallinn (conducted by Risto Joost) and From Shadow to Shadow at Estonian Composers Festival in Tartu.
Nostalgia for solo violin and orchestra was selected composition of the year 2014 at the Icelandic Music Awards.
At Dark Music Days 2014 Caput Ensemble, the main contemporary music ensemble in Iceland, had a recital with Páll's music.
Later in the same year Páll was composer in residence at Skálholt Summer Concerts where Hljómeyki chamber choir conducted by Marta Halldórsdóttir premiered his Song of Songs for soprano, baritone and mixed choir along with older choral works.