Last night, Víkingur Heiðar received one of the most prestigious international honours in music: the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal.

The award was presented at a ceremony in the Royal Festival Hall in London, following Víkingur’s performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali. The RPS Gold Medal was first awarded in 1871 and bears an image of Beethoven, signifying the composer’s important relationship with the Society, which commissioned his Ninth Symphony. Among previous recipients are some of the greatest composers of the ages, including Brahms, Elgar, Sibelius, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and Britten.

Víkingur Heiðar is among the most acclaimed classical musicians of our time. His recordings have surpassed one billion streams worldwide, and earlier this year he received a GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for his album J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations.

‘I am deeply honoured – and a little overwhelmed – to be included in the company of the recipients of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal. I am grateful and touched by this special recognition. I want to thank my loyal and passionate audiences throughout the UK, who always make me feel at home when making music for them. It is my privilege and joy to play music for you that I love and believe in.’

We congratulate Víkingur Heiðar on this remarkable and well-deserved honour.

Photos by Mark Allen