Esa-Pekka Salonen & Víkingur Ólafsson
At this clear-your-diaries Philharmonia Orchestra concert, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson brings the dreamy new concerto written for him by John Adams to London.
The concert features the combined talents of three musicians at the very top of their game – composer John Adams, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Adams’ After the Fall acknowledges Ólafsson’s ‘masterly grace and precision’ (San Francisco Chronicle) and affinity for Bach, quoting from Bach’s C minor Prelude.
The dreamy sound-world of its opening has drawn comparisons with Ravel and Bartók. But its expert handling of energy and rhythm are 100% Adams.
Esa-Pekka Salonen was Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia for 13 years. Returning as Conductor Laureate to join the orchestra’s 80th birthday celebrations, he has chosen one of his favourite pieces to complete this evening’s programme.
Ravel’s ballet Daphnis and Chloé is widely considered his finest work. Rich, imaginative orchestral textures transport the listener to an enchanted world of gods and shepherdesses, via arguably the most gorgeous depiction of sunrise in the orchestral repertoire.
Performers
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Víkingur Ólafsson piano
Philharmonia Chorus
Repertoire
John Adams: Piano Concerto No.4 (After the Fall) (UK premiere)
Interval
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.