“A performance to long abide in memory, Ólafsson presented the solo piano part with enhanced depth and renewed mastery over the Adamsian idiom, owning the material inside out. No matter which point of the textural continuum one would examine, the pianist’s seemingly limitless invention and musicality was put wholeheartedly into the service of the composer, resulting in a reading of chiaroscuro poetry and thunderous dexterity alike, all bound together by Ólafsson’s unique brand of virtuosity.”

“…the most complete, the most emotionally coherent account of Beethoven’s so-called Emperor Concerto I have ever experienced.”

“Shortly after concluding a world tour of the ​“Goldberg” Variations, Vikingur Olafsson released this gem, a set of six Bach arrangements — four of them his own — that is barely 20 minutes long. If some of the playing edges past meditative toward precious, Olafsson makes Harold Bauer’s version of ​“Komm, Süsser Tod” into a marvel, dignified and steadfast.”

“following in Busoni’s footsteps as a Bach transcriber”

“…a magical touch in this music”

“Víkingur Ólafsson is revitalising classical music”

“For this pianist, every album is an essay”

“Olafssons hands are fast and powerful on the keys (think superfast, then add some more). His performance is earth-shaking and hypnotic, in short – he plays like a master.”

“Víkingur Ólafsson’s latest album opens the door to new possibilities for the great composer’s music.”

“For Bach playing of a higher order, there is only one place to go: the recent album by Víkingur Ólafsson.”

“After his equally successful Glass album, Víkingur confirms he’s one of the pianists to look out for”

“Does he really deserve the epithet ​“Icelands Glenn Gould” that the New York Times gave him? The answer is yes, he proved as a time-bending soloist in Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto. This classic from the romantic period sounds in the wrong hands overblown and sentimental, but Ólafsson plays as if every tone matters”

“Ólafsson’s ability to paint with a thousand colours is magnificent”

“In Mr. Olafsson’s hands, Mr. Glass’s music is sculptural”

“Like Gould, Ólafsson possesses that rare gift of illuminating a familiar work in unexpected ways, revealing hidden depths and drawing out its best qualities.….breathtakingly brilliant pianist.”

“The celebrated shooting star Víkingur Ólafsson made his debut with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and excelled with his sensitive and extremely virtuosic playing.”

“Víkingur Ólafsson, for whom the work is written, possesses the authority, precision and clarity of contour required by the vertiginous solo part.”

“Volcanic temperament, great virtuosity, a taste for challenges.”

“… Olafsson ruminative and fiercely attacking by turns (and his thumbs must be among the most elastic in the business), taking self-possessed ownership of a work which remains bitty, for all its thematic unity … Olafsson gave us a delightful encore in the shape of a miniature by Jean-Philippe Rameau.” *****

“Olafsson succeeded superbly in one of the best Belfast performances of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto in recent years.”

“Best of the bunch was Icelandic pianist Vikingur Ólafsson. He played the blizzard of scales in Phillip Glass’ Etude No 13 with amazing virtuosity, and gave the still quietness of Etude No 5 a monumental, rapt intensity.”