Víkingur Ólafsson, a renowned 40-year-old pianist from Iceland, recently graced the Tiny Desk concert series with his performance on their diminutive upright piano. Despite typically performing on nine-foot grand pianos, he embraced the intimate setting, utilizing the practice pedal to create a muted, whispered sound for the audience.

During the concert, Víkingur showcased his exceptional talent by performing notable pieces such as Johann Sebastian Bach, earning him Album of the Year at the 2019 BBC Music Magazine Awards. His impressive career highlights include collaborations with prestigious orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic and conductors like Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Víkingur has garnered multiple awards, including the Opus Klassik Award for Solo Instrumental and the Rolf Schock Prize in Music. He is recognized for his mastery of Philip Glass Piano Works, which led to praise as "Iceland's Glenn Gould" by the New York Times and being hailed as a "breathtakingly brilliant pianist" by Gramophone. Le Monde also celebrated his "volcanic temperament, great virtuosity, [and] taste for challenges."