Artist in Residence Víkingur Ólafsson

Cal Performances is thrilled to welcome back Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson as 2025–26 Artist in Residence, with three opportunities this season to experience his boundless creativity and keen interpretive prowess at the keyboard. Over the course of his celebrated career, Ólafsson has distinguished himself as that rare musician who both values the history and tradition of the canon, and seeks out opportunities to question orthodoxy in the pursuit of his own artistic truth. He is closely associated with the music of Bach, Rameau, Mozart, Chopin, and Debussy, but is also praised for his renditions of Philip Glass’ music and is a committed champion of works by other living composers.

Ólafsson’s direct style and uncompromising integrity have captivated classical music aficionados and newcomers alike, and all listeners will welcome his return to the UC Berkeley campus, where his May 2024 recital was hailed as “an astonishing triumph of keyboard virtuosity and sparkling personality” (San Francisco Classical Voice).

“Ólafsson… combines a ferocious keyboard technique with a razor-sharp intellect that puts those gifts to powerful interpretive use. (Most virtuosos can boast one or the other of these abilities; few can lay claim to both.)”
—Joshua Kosman, On a Pacific Aisle

Leadership support for the 2025–26 Víkingur Ólafsson residency at Cal Performances is provided by Michael P. N. A. Hormel.