Víkingur Ólafsson, piano on Oct 22, 2025 | UCSB Arts & Lectures

Program
J.S. Bach: Prelude in E Major, BWV 854 
Beethoven: Sonata No. 27, op. 90 
J.S. Bach: Partita in E minor, BWV 830 
Schubert: Sonata in E minor, D. 566 
Beethoven: Sonata No. 30, op. 109

“Ólafsson is a master of finding and exploiting unexpected pockets of musicality.” The New York Times

A “breathtakingly brilliant pianist” Gramophone 

Víkingur Ólafsson’s fall 2025 recital tour, titled Opus 109, draws its name from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, op. 109, which serves as the centerpiece of the program. The Opus 109 sonata, renowned for its introspective depth and innovative structure, marks a significant milestone in the evolution in Beethoven’s compositional technique. Ólafsson’s thoughtfully curated program juxtaposes works by Bach and Schubert with one of Beethoven’s earlier sonatas to put the singular achievement of the Opus 109 sonata in a revealing, deeply satisfying musical context.