logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
2h 10m

Víkingur Ólafsson

Rick Rubin
About this episode

Víkingur Ólafsson is a world-renowned Icelandic pianist. Celebrated for his profound artistry and visionary programming, he has performed with premier orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, and London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2023, he performed his album of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations on a world tour, showcasing his musicianship across six continents, totaling 88 performances. Ólafsson’s latest release, an EP entitled Continuum, is described as his “personal Bach diary,” a work that blends his innovative approach to classical music with the 18th century composer’s iconic work. As a two-time recipient of the Opus Klassik Solo Recording of the Year, CoScan’s International Nordic Person of the Year (2023), and Album of the Year at BBC Music Magazine Awards (2019), Ólafsson continues to captivate audiences worldwide. His upcoming tour dates can be found here


------

Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team:


Athletic Nicotine

https://www.athleticnicotine.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

Squarespace

https://squarespace.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

Vivo Barefoot

http://vivobarefoot.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA25'

------

LMNT Electrolytes

https://drinklmnt.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

Sign up to receive Tetragrammaton Transmissions

https://www.tetragrammaton.com/join-newsletter

Up next
Oct 8
M.I.A.
M.I.A. is a music artist, producer, and activist known for blending electronic, hip-hop, and world music. Hailing from London with Sri Lankan roots, she gained international recognition with her debut album Arular and breakthrough hits like “Galang” and “Paper Planes.” Her later ... Show More
1h 58m
Oct 3
David Whyte (Part 2)
David Whyte returns to continue his conversation in Part Two. David Whyte is a celebrated Irish poet, philosopher, and speaker whose career spans nearly forty years. Known for ten volumes of poetry and multiple best-selling prose collections, Whyte’s latest collection, Consolatio ... Show More
56 m
Oct 1
David Whyte (Part 1)
David Whyte is a celebrated Irish poet, philosopher, and speaker whose career spans nearly forty years. Known for ten volumes of poetry and multiple best-selling prose collections, Whyte’s latest collection, Consolations II, which contains 52 new essays, continues his trademark e ... Show More
1h 28m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Errollyn Wallen, composer
Errollyn Wallen is one of the world’s most performed living composers. Her work, which includes 22 operas, orchestral, chamber and vocal works, was played at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in 2012 and at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees. She was the ... Show More
52m 23s
Aug 2024
Kodaly's Symphony
Synopsis It might seem odd that during his long career, Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály wrote only nine works for orchestra. When someone asked him about this, he replied, “I was busy with more important work: I had to educate a public.” Kodály and his countryman Béla Bartók wer ... Show More
2 m
May 2024
John Adams
The work of composer and conductor John Adams blends the rhythmic vitality of Minimalism with late-Romantic orchestral harmonies. He emerged alongside Philip Glass, Steve Reich and other musical minimalists in the early 1970s, and his reputation grew with symphonic work and opera ... Show More
43m 28s
Apr 2025
Cellist Zlatomir Fung on his debut recording of opera fantasies
Zlatomir Fung won the Cello category of the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition, and also has an enviable collection of other cello awards and prizes to his name. He was a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Winner in 2022 and was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2020 ... Show More
25m 16s
Sep 2024
288 | Max Richter on the Meaning of Classical Music Today
It wasn't that long ago, historically speaking, that you might put on your tuxedo or floor-length evening gown to go out and hear a live opera or symphony. But today's world is faster, more technologically connected, and casual. Is there still a place for classical music in the c ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 19
Anastasia Kobekina on Bach's Cello Suites | Gramophone Podcast
In this week's Gramophone Podcast, cellist Anastasia Kobekina talks about her new recording of one of the most revered series of works for her instrument - Bach's Solo Cello Suites. While the album isn't released by Sony Classical until next Friday (September 26), three movements ... Show More
38m 25s