Víkingur Ólafsson in Conversation

TL;DR

Pianist discusses balancing current performances with future development, collaboration with composers, musical interpretation, and personal growth.

Transcript

preparations go you know in a way for me now it's always you know what am I playing in two days or three days but at the same time I'm thinking about you know this new thing that I'm adding for January and March etc so I find it's that's actually one of the biggest challenges of my life right now is to be able to sort of perform so much and at the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎨 Balancing present performances with future preparations challenges the artist.
• 🤗 Collaborations with diverse composers contribute to an open and experimental approach to music.
• 🧑‍🎨 Historical composers like Bach influence the artist's understanding of evolving musical interpretation.
• 🧑‍🎨 Synesthesia enhances the artist's connection to music through color associations.
• 🫵 Cultural influences, like the TV series "Bojack Horseman," impact the artist's view of society.
• 🧑‍🎨 Personal interactions with fellow artists and audiences inspire the artist's musical creativity.
• 🧑‍🎨 Each concert experience adds a unique element to the artist's artistic journey.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the artist balance current performances with preparing for future additions to their repertoire?

The artist finds it challenging to perform at a high level while also working on new material, ensuring that future performances meet their standards. This involves a balance of practice, study, and creative exploration.

Q: How does collaborating with composers impact the artist's interpretation of musical pieces?

Working closely with composers, whether Icelandic or international like Philip Glass, shapes the artist's approach to music. They value the open and experimental nature of these collaborations, which influences their interpretations.

Q: How does the artist's synesthesia influence their perception and performance of music?

The artist's condition of associating colors with pitch adds a unique dimension to their musical experience, enhancing their connection to different keys and tonalities. This unusual sensory perception contributes to their artistic interpretation.

Q: What role does personal growth and self-reflection play in the artist's evolving musical style?

The artist reflects on their past performances, mindful of their growth and development over time. Listening to recordings from earlier years informs their current practice and inspires further evolution in their musical interpretation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The artist faces the challenge of balancing present performances with preparing for future additions to maintain high standards.

• Collaboration with composers from Iceland and abroad highlights their open and experimental approaches to music.

• The artist embraces the evolving nature of music, drawing inspiration from historical composers like Bach and Chopin.