Víkingur Ólafsson makes Cleveland debut in mesmerizing recital

By Sam Jacobson, 03 December 2022

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“placing Mozart in lively dialogue with the composers who influenced and surrounded him”

Reviewed at Reinberger Chamber Hall, Cleveland on 30 November 2022

Galuppi, Sonata in F minor: Andante spiritoso

Mozart, Rondo in for Piano in F major, K494

Bach C.P.E., Rondo in D minor, Wq.61/4

Cimarosa, Keyboard Sonata in D minor, C79 (arr. Ólafsson)

Mozart, Fantasie in D minor, K397

Mozart, Rondo in D major for piano, K485

Cimarosa, Keyboard Sonata in A minor (arr. Ólafsson)

Haydn, Piano Sonata in B minor, Hob XVI:32

Mozart, Kleine Gigue in G major for Keyboard, K574

Mozart, Piano Sonata no. 16 in C major, K545

Mozart, Quintet for Strings in G minor, K516 (trans. Ólafsson)

Galuppi, Keyboard Sonata in C minor, Illy no.38 (Larghetto)

Mozart, Piano Sonata no. 14 in C minor, K457

Mozart, Adagio in B minor for keyboard, K540

Mozart, Motet in D major, "Ave verum Corpus", K618 (trans. Liszt)

Bach, Trio sonata in E Minor, BWV528 (Adagio, trans. Stradal)

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

All about mi : Víkingur Ólafsson conquers Paris

David Karlin, 15th March

In Bach, Beethoven and Schubert, the Icelandic pianist demonstrates how perfect technique and total control can lead to expressivity.

*****

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.

*****

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Sam Jacobson

Sam Jacobson has been writing for Bachtrack since 2015 and is currently in Pittsburgh, having previously lived throughout the Midwest. A keen traveler, he endeavors to see all the great orchestras and opera houses across the US and abroad. Outside of music, he works as a software engineer. He also maintains a blog which can be read here.