Víkingur ÓlafssonPiano
About This Performance
The New York Times dubbed this deep-thinking pianist “Iceland’s Glenn Gould” for his charismatic performance style, breathtaking energy, and intense focus. He has recorded and performed everything from Bach and Mozart to Glass and Adams to enthusiastic audiences and reviews in Europe and the Americas.
THE SHENSON PIANO SERIES
Program
GALUPPI: Piano Sonata No. 9 in F minor (I. Andante spiritoso)
Piano Sonata No. 34 in C Minor (I. Larghetto)
MOZART: Rondo in F Major K. 494
Fantasie for Piano No. 3 in D Minor, K. 397
Rondo in D Major, K. 485
Kleine Gigue in G Major K. 574
Sonata for Piano No. 16 in C Major, K. 545
String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor K. 516
Sonata for Piano No. 14 in C Minor, K. 457
Adagio for Piano in B Minor, K. 540
Ave verum corpus K. 618 (Transcribed by Franz Liszt)
CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH: Rondo for Keyboard in D Minor, Wq 61/4
CIMAROSA (arr. ÓLAFSSON):Keyboard Sonata No. 55 in A Minor
HAYDN: Sonata for Piano in B Minor, No. 47, Hob XVI:32
Encore
BACH (transcribed by August Stradal): Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante [Adagio]
Performance Sponsors
James R. Meehan, Sponsor
Artist Information
Performer Biography
Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has made a profound impact with his remarkable combination of highest level musicianship and visionary programs. His recordings for Deutsche Grammophon—Philip Glass Piano Works (2017), Johann Sebastian Bach (2018), Debussy Rameau (2020) and Mozart & Contemporaries (2021)—captured the public and critical imagination and led to album streams of over 260 million. The Daily Telegraph called him “The new superstar of classical piano” while the New York Times dubbed him “Iceland’s Glenn Gould.”
Now one of the most sought-after artists of today, Ólafsson’s multiple awards include Gramophone magazine’s 2019 Artist of the Year, Opus Klassik Solo Recording Instrumental (twice) and Album of the Year at the 2019 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
Ólafsson continues to perform with the world’s leading orchestras and as artist in residence at the top concert halls and festivals. He also works with some of today’s greatest composers.
A captivating communicator both on and off stage, Ólafsson’s significant talent extends to broadcast, having presented several of his own series for television and radio. He was artist in residence for three months on BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts program, Front Row. Broadcasting live during lockdown from an empty Harpa concert hall in Reykjavík, he reached millions of listeners around the world.