London Symphony Orchestra

“It felt like someone had sent me a bespoke, fabulous suit, without taking my measurements”. These are the words of Víkingur Ólafsson after John Adams sent him the music for his new composition After the Fall. A lifelong fan of Adams, the Icelandic pianist had always believed that one day, the American minimalist would write a concerto for him. The two musicians became friends and in the year of Adams’ 80th birthday, they are touring together with the piece they first performed in San Francisco in 2025. This dedicated work pays homage to Ólafsson’s piano playing and love of Bach while remaining true to Adam’s style. Clearly recognisable are the typical echoes of film music, sophisticated orchestration and rhythmic drive that can also be heard in the other works by Adams on the programme at this evening’s concert. We are treated to Shaker Loops, The Chairman Dances and his famous dizzying Short Ride in a Fast Machine, without which a birthday concert in honour of the master of minimal music would not be complete.