Esa-Pekka Salonen and Víkingur Ólafsson

Víkingur Ólafsson brings the new concerto written for him by John Adams to London.  

This clear-your-diaries concert features the combined talents of three musicians at the very top of their game – composer John Adams, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. After the Fall acknowledges Ólafsson’s ‘masterly grace and precision’ (San Francisco Chronicle) and affinity for Bach, quoting from Bach’s C minor Prelude. The dreamy soundworld of its opening has drawn comparisons with Ravel and Bartók. But its expert handling of energy and rhythm are 100% Adams.  

Esa-Pekka Salonen was Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia for 13 years. Returning as Conductor Laureate to join the orchestra’s 80th birthday celebrations, he has chosen one of his favourite pieces to complete this evening’s programme. Ravel’s ballet Daphnis and Chloé is widely considered his finest work. Rich, imaginative orchestral textures transport the listener to an enchanted world of gods and shepherdesses, via arguably the most gorgeous depiction of sunrise in the orchestral repertoire.