Víkingur Ólafsson
The Ice Cold Pianist
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has made a deep impression with his remarkable combination of top-level musicianship and visionary programming. Born in Reykjavík in 1984, the artist's almost frighteningly perfectly crafted pieces know how to delight both audiences and otherwise cynical critics.
The Daily Telegraph called Víkingur Ólafsson the new superstar of classical piano
, and the New York Times described him as Iceland's Glenn Gould.
A captivating speaker on and off stage, he has considerable talent that extends to radio, where he has presented several of his own series for television and radio.
Today, Víkingur Ólafsson is one of the most sought-after pianists of the present day and has received several awards. His performances are compelling with an almost robotic clarity and a relentless minimalism that can be both heartwarming and icy cold. Anyone who has ever heard his interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach's Organ Sonata No. 4 can hardly decide whether he should now embrace life or rather bid an inconspicuous farewell to the very same.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
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