Poster Víkingur Ólafsson
Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson sets the music of Mozart amid his peers to offer a fresh take on the master composer.
Ari Magg/Deutsche Grammophon
New Classical Tracks®

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson wants to change how we think about Mozart

New Classical Tracks - Víkingur Ólafsson (Extended)
DOWNLOAD

Víkingur Ólafsson Mozart and Contemporaries (DG)

00:00
0
New Classical Tracks - Víkingur Ólafsson
New Classical Tracks - Víkingur Ólafsson

 

“I think the good thing about Iceland is that you have a certain sense of freedom and you have to find your own path,” said pianist Víkingur Ólafsson about how he experienced growing up in Iceland in the 1990s. “My mother was a piano teacher and a very good one. But she never pushed me. She would rather have me go out and play football with my friends and be a normal kid.”

That sense of freedom has extended into his live performances and his recordings. This past summer, Ólafsson made his long-awaited debut at the BBC Proms, where he offered a preview of his new release, Mozart and Contemporaries.

Why are you trying to change people's perceptions of Mozart?

“I think we all come to Mozart with a certain amount of baggage. For instance, if you're a piano student and play the easy pieces of Mozart when you're 7 or 8, then your teachers are sort of indoctrinating the myth of Mozart upon you. They're telling you about his unparalleled genius and scaring you with the idea of him. I went to see the Magic Flute when I was 7. It was the first opera I had ever saw and I remember just being pale afterwards thinking, ‘Oh my God, he must have written this when he was 7. What have I done with my life?’

“The whole album is an exploration of not Mozart-the-Wunderkind, but rather the mature Mozart. I believe that is the Mozart that we know today and what we think of when we think of him.”

To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or download the extended podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Resources

Víkingur Ólafsson — Mozart and Contemporaries (Center Stage Store)

Víkingur Ólafsson — Mozart and Contemporaries (Amazon)

Víkingur Ólafsson (official site)

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest New Classical Tracks® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest New Classical Tracks® Episodes

Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade brings gratitude to her final recording
56:05
Pianist David Kaplan combines new American compositions with Schumann
29:39
Violinist Augustin Hadelich and pianist Orion Weiss take an American road trip together
35:06
Daphne Gerling and Tomoko Kashiwagi highlight brilliant 20th-century women
32:53
Anna Clyne and the Knights bring folk into classic on new album

Anna Clyne and the Knights bring folk into classic on new album

English composer Anna Clyne incorporates elements of folk music on her latest recording featuring the Knights. Listen as host Julie Amacher speaks to her and Eric Jacobson from the ensemble about their recent collaboration on the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks.’

38:36

Jeremy Denk performs Charles Ives' 'The Alcotts'

Oct. 20, 2024, marked the 150th birth anniversary of American composer Charles Ives. Join us in celebrating his life, music and legacy with pianist Jeremy Denk’s captivating performance of Ives’ ‘The Alcotts,’ recorded at Minnesota Public Radio's headquarters in St. Paul.

Guitarist David Leisner returns to 19th-century guitar repertoire with 'Charms to Soothe'
31:51
Violinist Joshua Bell brings forward the music of Thomas De Hartmann on new album
21:05
Composer Tina Davidson embraces vulnerability on new recording
30:42
Gao Hong and Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde improvise together on their new album
30:26
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About New Classical Tracks®

Host Julie Amacher provides an in-depth exploration of a new classical music release each week.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Radio Public, or RSS.

About New Classical Tracks®