All about mi : Víkingur Ólafsson conquers Paris

By David Karlin, 16 March 2026

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“Ólafsson takes me to places that other pianists can’t”

Reviewed at Philharmonie de Paris: Grande salle Pierre Boulez, Paris on 15 March 2026

Bach, Le Clavier bien tempéré (1): Prélude en mi majeur, BWV854 [Bach]

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 9 in E major, Op.14 no.1

Bach, Partita no. 6 in E minor, BWV830

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 27 in E minor, Op.90

Schubert, Piano Sonata no. 6 in E minor, D.566

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 30 in E major, Op.109

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

A brilliant UK premiere of John Adams’ After the Fall

David Karlin, 25th February

The Icelandic pianist and Finnish conductor make a superb case for John Adams' latest concerto; the Philharmonia play Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé strongly but don't convince completely.

****1

John Adams leads Americana, past and present, with LA Phil

Néstor Castiglione, 23rd January

Compelling as a composer and conductor, Adams restored Roy Harris' Third Symphony to the Los Angeles repertoire, alongside one of his most recent works.

*****

Chills and thrills from Pappano and the Czech Philharmonic

Frank Kuznik, 27th November

In expert hands, a terrifying 12-tone opera and a heroic piano concerto rattle the walls in Prague’s Rudolfinum.

*****

Víkingur Ólafsson and the Philharmonia launch The Anvil's season

David Truslove, 23rd September

Involving performances of standard repertoire by the Philharmonia open Basingstoke’s international concert season.

****1

Sonic brilliance and immersive energy from the Tonhalle in Hamburg

Mengguang Huang, 16th March

At the Elbphilharmonie, a programme of Ligeti, Adams and Lutosławski showcases the power of modern orchestral music to engage both intellectually and emotionally.

*****

Fire and ice: Víkingur Ólafsson performs at the Glasshouse

Nick Butters, 6th February

A Finnish soundscape, fine detail in Bartók and deep understanding in Beethoven from the Royal Northern Sinfonia with Dinis Sousa and Víkingur Ólafsson.

*****

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.