Víkingur Ólafsson
Víkingur Ólafsson
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
Víkingur Ólafsson returns for a solo piano recital that threads Philip Glass etudes and the opening of Glassworks through Debussy miniatures and selections from three Rameau harpsichord suites. The program includes Debussy’s “Ondine,” “Jardins sous la pluie,” “The Snow Is Dancing,” and “Serenade for the Doll,” with Ólafsson revisiting music from his 2020 recording of keyboard works.
The Icelandic pianist approaches each piece, in The New York Times’ words, “like a sculpture, worth studying from all angles in search of new interpretations and surprises.”
Designed by Frank Gehry, this concert hall is a striking architectural landmark with sweeping stainless steel curves that catch the light outside, while inside, its acoustics are meticulously crafted to deliver rich, clear sound to every seat. The auditorium seats over two thousand people in a space where the audience is fully immersed in the music, surrounded by warm wood paneling and a stage that brings performers close to listeners. The venue hosts ticketed performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other ensembles, offering an evening focused on attentive listening rather than casual socializing. Nearby bars and restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles provide options for pre- or post-show dining, but inside, the experience centers on the music in a refined, elegant setting.