Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and minimal music composer John Adams have found each other: The US-American has composed a new piano concerto for the young star pianist, called "After the Fall". Shortly after its premiere in San Francisco, it was also performed in Zurich.
The "fall" that appears in the title of the new piano concerto refers to two things: the autumnal season on the one hand, but also the "loss of paradise".
This can be understood in very concrete musical terms, as Adams' music has also been described as a "fall from grace" by modern avant-garde composers. Because minimal music does exactly what has long been a red rag for avant-garde composers: it repeats itself, makes quotations, goes round in circles. But this is exactly what can be extremely exciting.
Listen here
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Paavo Järvi Music Director
Víkingur ÓlafssonPiano
John Adams "After the Fall" Piano Concerto - Swiss premiere
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D major
Concert from 22 January 2025, Tonhalle Zurich
The concert will be available to listen to for 60 days after the broadcast date.
