Through time and space

Víkingur Ólafsson speaks with Sebastian Nordmann about his new festival “Pulse”, Iceland, Johann Sebastian Bach, Thomas Adès, and Olafur Eliasson.

“I am thrilled and deeply honoured to take on this new role in Lucerne,” explained Víkingur Ólafsson when Sebastian Nordmann, the designated Artistic Director of Lucerne Festival, visited him in Iceland at the beginning of October. “Music offers a unique way of experiencing time and space, altering and exalting our perceptions of both through pitch, rhythm and acoustics. The theme of ‘Time and Space’ for Pulse 2026 enables us to do a bit of travelling through centuries and across countries, connecting different worldviews and completely different personalities. Throughout the festival, there will be traces of Bach – the most contemporary composer of all time.”