Jón Leifs was Iceland's greatest classical composer. He was born in Iceland in 1899 and studied and composed in Germany from 1916 to 1944, returning to Iceland for the rest of his life. Leifs composed about 70 works that drew from Icelandic folk songs and harmonic structures. His music reflected Iceland's history and struggle for independence. Some of his most famous works include the "Elegy" written for his mother, "Geysir" inspired by Icelandic geysers, and "Three Images" which depicts the Icelandic landscape. His "Saga Symphony" had five movements each dedicated to heroes from Icelandic sagas.