Víkingur Ólafsson Performance/Demonstration

Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education

After the performance, Víkingur will conduct a Question-and-Answer session, so be sure to have your questions ready for him.

Demonstration

and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Presenting Underwriter HRH Foundation Festival Co-Chairs The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Barbro Osher Major support is provided by the Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Dr. Glen Nelson, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, David M. Rubenstein, and the State Plaza Hotel.

International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided in part by Adobe Foundation; The Clark Charitable Foundation; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Macy*s Foundation; The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; an endowment from the Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation; U.S. Department of Education; Washington Gas; and by generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund, and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas.

Major support for the Kennedy Center’s educational programs is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

— as of December 31, 2012

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge

YOU, THE AUDIENCE

Performance

Nordic Cool 2013 is presented in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers

Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement from the Federal Government. © 2013 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

PHOTO BY RAX

PHOTO BY DAMIEN STOREY

At only 28 years old, Víkingur Ólafsson is quickly establishing his reputation as an exceptional, wide-ranging artist. Realizing his passion for music at an early age, he studied at the prestigious arts conservatory, The Juilliard School (JOO-LEE-arhd), where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

Since graduating, he has performed all over the world and received numerous recognitions and awards. These days his activities include everything from solo to orchestral music performances, leading his own master classes, and even filming a television program on music for The Icelandic Broadcasting Service.

He also founded and runs his own record label, Dirrindí (dih-rin-DEE).

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Performance Guide

What You Should Know

Cuesheet

VIKINGUR Ólafsson

Víkingur Ólafsson:

PHOTO BY GUNNARSVANBERG

About the Performance/Demonstration

Meet pianist Víkingur Ólafsson (pronounced veek-INK-ger OH-lawf-son), who the London Times hailed as “Iceland’s rising star.”

Get to know Víkingur and his musical style as he performs a diverse program of classical masterpieces, in addition to some traditional Icelandic folk songs. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the art of active listening and how to interpret classical piano music.

The Concert Program

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR...

Classical Versus

Two of the classical selections you may hear today are by famous composers Ludwig van Beethoven (LOOD-vig VAHN BAY-toh-ven) and Claude Debussy (klawd duh-byoo-SEE):

Folk Music

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, “Pathétique,” First Movement The music begins slowly and solemnly but suddenly changes to a quick and vigorous tempo. Listen for this big contrast and other surprises throughout the movement.

Though both music genres are rooted in tradition, there are fundamental differences between these musical styles: Classical music follows formal, longestablished European principles created between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Folk music is traditional music of a popular culture common to a group of people or a specific region. It is often passed on through memorization or repetition rather than writing.

Musical Language dynamics the loudness or softness of the music melody the tune you hum or sing along with when listening to a favorite song mood the emotion or feeling expressed in a piece of music pitch the frequency of sound as high notes and low notes rhythm the timing and combination of long and short notes against the steady beat of the music tempo the speed of the music theme the main pattern or melody repeated in a musical composition

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Debussy, Préludes, Book 2: V. Bruyéres At the performance/demonstration, Víkingur will start with works by some of his favorite classical composers. He will give you some background on each of the composers and explain what makes their music special to perform.

In addition to these classical compositions, Víkingur will also perform some traditional Icelandic folk songs. He will walk you through the simple but beautiful elements of Icelandic folk music and each song in particular.

This piece of music is all about nostalgia, or reminiscence. Listen for how the development of the music is able to communicate specific feelings and emotions without words.

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

Although he is better known in his home country of Iceland, Víkingur is quickly establishing himself in the international music scene. This year alone, his schedule includes performances in Italy, Spain, England, and the United States.

PHOTO BY GUNNARSVANBERG

About the Performance/Demonstration

Meet pianist Víkingur Ólafsson (pronounced veek-INK-ger OH-lawf-son), who the London Times hailed as “Iceland’s rising star.”

Get to know Víkingur and his musical style as he performs a diverse program of classical masterpieces, in addition to some traditional Icelandic folk songs. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the art of active listening and how to interpret classical piano music.

The Concert Program

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR...

Classical Versus

Two of the classical selections you may hear today are by famous composers Ludwig van Beethoven (LOOD-vig VAHN BAY-toh-ven) and Claude Debussy (klawd duh-byoo-SEE):

Folk Music

Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, “Pathétique,” First Movement The music begins slowly and solemnly but suddenly changes to a quick and vigorous tempo. Listen for this big contrast and other surprises throughout the movement.

Though both music genres are rooted in tradition, there are fundamental differences between these musical styles: Classical music follows formal, longestablished European principles created between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Folk music is traditional music of a popular culture common to a group of people or a specific region. It is often passed on through memorization or repetition rather than writing.

Musical Language dynamics the loudness or softness of the music melody the tune you hum or sing along with when listening to a favorite song mood the emotion or feeling expressed in a piece of music pitch the frequency of sound as high notes and low notes rhythm the timing and combination of long and short notes against the steady beat of the music tempo the speed of the music theme the main pattern or melody repeated in a musical composition

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Debussy, Préludes, Book 2: V. Bruyéres At the performance/demonstration, Víkingur will start with works by some of his favorite classical composers. He will give you some background on each of the composers and explain what makes their music special to perform.

In addition to these classical compositions, Víkingur will also perform some traditional Icelandic folk songs. He will walk you through the simple but beautiful elements of Icelandic folk music and each song in particular.

This piece of music is all about nostalgia, or reminiscence. Listen for how the development of the music is able to communicate specific feelings and emotions without words.

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

Although he is better known in his home country of Iceland, Víkingur is quickly establishing himself in the international music scene. This year alone, his schedule includes performances in Italy, Spain, England, and the United States.

Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education

After the performance, Víkingur will conduct a Question-and-Answer session, so be sure to have your questions ready for him.

Demonstration

and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Presenting Underwriter HRH Foundation Festival Co-Chairs The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Barbro Osher Major support is provided by the Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Dr. Glen Nelson, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, David M. Rubenstein, and the State Plaza Hotel.

International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided in part by Adobe Foundation; The Clark Charitable Foundation; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Macy*s Foundation; The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; an endowment from the Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation; U.S. Department of Education; Washington Gas; and by generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund, and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas.

Major support for the Kennedy Center’s educational programs is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

— as of December 31, 2012

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge

YOU, THE AUDIENCE

Performance

Nordic Cool 2013 is presented in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers

Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement from the Federal Government. © 2013 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

PHOTO BY RAX

PHOTO BY DAMIEN STOREY

At only 28 years old, Víkingur Ólafsson is quickly establishing his reputation as an exceptional, wide-ranging artist. Realizing his passion for music at an early age, he studied at the prestigious arts conservatory, The Juilliard School (JOO-LEE-arhd), where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

Since graduating, he has performed all over the world and received numerous recognitions and awards. These days his activities include everything from solo to orchestral music performances, leading his own master classes, and even filming a television program on music for The Icelandic Broadcasting Service.

He also founded and runs his own record label, Dirrindí (dih-rin-DEE).

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Performance Guide

What You Should Know

Cuesheet

VIKINGUR Ólafsson

Víkingur Ólafsson: