Víkingur Ólafsson plays Beethoven
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- What you'll hear
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Epic. Spine tingling. Here’s Johnny!
Who’s playing
What is it about Iceland? A tiny country that’s managed to produce artists like Björk, Sigur Rós, Ólafur Arnalds and incredible Eurovision act, Daði Freyr. Now add to that list pianist Víkingur Ólafsson who is teaming up with Royal Northern Sinfonia, led by Principal Conductor Dinis Sousa.
What they’re playing
We’ve got Kaija Saariaho’s atmospheric Ciel d’hiver (Winter sky), Bartók’s spine tingling Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and ending with Beethoven’s colossal Emperor concerto.
Please note, this concert was previously titled Víkingur Ólafsson plays Brahms. All tickets with the original concert title are still valid.
Need to know
Price: £19 – £46
Discounts: save if you’re under 17, aged 18 – 30, a classical first timer, or a group of 10 or more people. Check the details.
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
What you'll hear
Kaija Saariaho Ciel d’hiver (9’)
Béla Bartók Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (27’)
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 ‘Emperor’ (38’)
Who's playing
Dinis Sousa conductor
Víkingur Ólafsson piano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What's happening in the music?
The Emperor concerto was ahead of its time. Its bold, confident melodies and a solo piano part that’ll wow form part of what makes Beethoven’s Fifth Concerto outrageously popular.
Take a listen
Here’s Johnny!
Check out how Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta helped to make Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining extra creepy.
