Víkingur Ólafsson. Photo: Nadja Sjöström
Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft. Photo: Yanan Li
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: Nadja Sjöström
Víkingur plays Brahms
The Icelandic pianist is this year's Artist-in-Residence and soloist in Brahms' magnificent first Piano Concerto. Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft leads the orchestra.
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is one of the most acclaimed soloists in the classical music world. With his warm touch and passionate musicality, he attracts huge audiences. This season, he is the Artist-in-Residence at the Concert Hall.
Here, we get to meet him in Brahms's magnificent first piano concerto. He returns on two more occasions during the season, first in a recital where he plays Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, and then with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms's second piano concerto. For this first visit, it's Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft who conducts.
The concert opens with Anders Hillborg's dazzlingly elegant Sound Atlas. The glass harmonica – an instrument where fingers are rubbed on tuned glass bells – plays a significant role in the piece, contributing to the music's crystalline character. Additionally, we hear music by the Welsh pioneer Grace Williams. Her Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon is based on ancient Welsh tales.
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The music
Approximate times -
Anders Hillborg Sound Atlas20 min
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Grace Williams Four Illustrations from the Legend of Rhiannon25 min
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Intermission25 min
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Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 148 min
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Participants
- Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
- Ryan Bancroft conductor
- Víkingur Ólafsson piano
