Bach: Goldberg Variations

by Víkingur Ólafsson

Overview

Recordings by Vikingur Olafsson are eagerly awaited these days, and this one went right onto the classical best-seller charts in the autumn of 2023. Those who took it home will not be disappointed. Olafsson has been compared with Glenn Gould. He reportedly doesn't buy the comparison, and one can see why; his individual interpretation choices are quite different from Gould's. Yet, one can see how the idea arose. Olafsson has a subjective approach that reminds one of the great Canadian, and he mixes it with a steely devotion to uncovering all the details of the Bachian counterpoint. The brilliant virtuosity Olafsson has brought to Romantic music is very much in evidence here, and although this isn't a "Romantic" interpretation (he is light on the pedals, for one thing), the variations build in power in a way that makes one think of golden-age pianism. Sample several different variations, perhaps the cascading Variation 6 and Variation 30, with its amazing variety of pianistic attacks. Deutsche Grammophon's engineers do well in a small hall at Reykjavi's Harpa Concert House, and none of the profound levels of detail in Olafsson's playing are lost. Yet, for all the detail, this is a performance that will sweep the listener away. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	10/06/2023
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948645534
Rank:	30946

Tracks

1. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Aria
2. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 1 a 1 Clav.
3. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 2 a 1 Clav.
4. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 3 a 1 Clav. Canone all'Unisono
5. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 4 a 1 Clav.
6. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
7. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 6 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Seconda
8. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav. Al tempo di Giga
9. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 8 a 2 Clav.
10. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 9 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Terza
11. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 10 a 1 Clav. Fughetta
12. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 11 a 2 Clav.
13. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta
14. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 13 a 2 Clav.
15. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 14 a 2 Clav.
16. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 15 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quinta in moto contrario. Andante
17. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 16 a 1 Clav. Ouverture
18. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 17 a 2 Clav.
19. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 18 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Sesta
20. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 19 a 1 Clav.
21. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 20 a 2 Clav.
22. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima
23. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 22 a 1 Clav. Alla breve
24. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 23 a 2 Clav.
25. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 24 a 1 Clav. Canone all'Ottava
26. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 25 a 2 Clav.
27. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 26 a 2 Clav.
28. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 27 a 2 Clav. Canone alla Nona
29. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 28 a 2 Clav.
30. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 29 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
31. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Variatio 30 a 1 Clav. Quodlibet
32. Goldberg Variations BWV 988~Aria da capo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Vikingur Olafsson   Piano

Technical Credits

Michel Brandjes   Piano Technician
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
Christian Badzura   Executive Producer
Christopher Tarnow   Editing,Engineer,Recording Producer
Markus Jans   Cover Photo,Photography
Lars Hoffmann   Production Manager
Halla Oddny Magnusdottir   Editing,Text Advisor,Music Consultant
Helga Gerdjur Magnusdottir   Design,Art Direction
Marc Fritsch   Product Manager
Lina Matschinko   Project Coordinator
Nicole Maurer   A&R
Jochen Rudelt   Editorial