Johann Sebastian Bach – Goldberg Variations - Vikingur Olafsson (2LP)
Johann Sebastian Bach - Aria with 30 Variations "Goldberg Variations" BWV 988
Piano - Vikingur Olafsson
2 LP, Gatefold jacket with booklet
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Optimal Media GmbH in Germany
Label : Deutsche Grammophon
Original Label : Deutsche Grammophon
Recorded April 7, 2023 - April 12, 2023 at Iceland, Reykjavík, Harpa Concert House, Norðurljós Hall
Recording supervised by Christopher Tarnow
Engineered by Christopher Tarnow
Produced by Christian Badzura
Music Consultant - Halla Oddný Magnúsdóttir
Photography by Markus Jans
Originally released in October 2023
Tracks:
SIDE A:
- Aria
- Variato 1 a 1 Clav.
- Variato 2 a 1 Clav.
- Variato 3 a 1 Clav. Canone all'Unisono
- Variato 4 a 1 Clav.
- Variato 5 a 1 Clav. ovvero 2 Clav.
- Variato 6 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Seconda
- Variati 7 a 1 Clav. ovvero 2 Clav. Al tempo di Giga
- Variato 8 a 2 Clav.
SIDE B:
- Variato 9 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Terza
- Variato 10 a 1 Clav. Fughetta
- Variato 11 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 12 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quarta
- Variato 13 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 14 a 2 Clav.
- ariato 15 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quinta in moto contrario. Andante
SIDE C:
- Variato 16 a 1 Clav. Ouverture
- Variato 17 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 18 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Sesta
- Variato 19 a 1 Clav.
- Variato 20 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 21. Canone alla Settima
- Variato 22 a 1 Cla. Alla Breve
- Variato 23 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 24 a 1 Clav. Canone all'Ottava
SIDE D:
- Variato 25 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 26 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 27 a 2 Clav. Canone alla Nona
- Variato 28 a 2 Clav.
- Variato 29 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
- Variato 30 a 1 Clav. Quodlibet
- Aria da Capo
Reviews :
"Recordings by Vikingur Ólafsson 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. Ólafsson 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. Ólafsson 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 Ólafsson 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 Ólafsson's playing are lost. Yet, for all the detail, this is a performance that will sweep the listener away." AllMusic Review by James Manheim.
Ratings :
Discogs : 4.8 / 5 ; AllMusic : 4.5 / 5