Classical Music: Continuum Víkingur Ólafsson.

Continuum Víkingur Ólafsson.

Bach, J S: Cantata, BWV 159: Es ist vollbracht (Arr. Ólafsson for Piano); Cantata, BWV 21: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (Arr. Ólafsson for Piano); Cantata, BWV 150: Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (Arr. Ólafsson for Piano); Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614 (Arr. Kurtág for Piano 4 Hands*); Cantata, BWV 12: Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen (Arr. Ólafsson for Piano); Komm, süßer Tod, BWV 478 (Arr. Bauer for Piano)

Piano Víkingur Ólafsson
*Halla Oddný Magnúsdóttir
Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
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When I play Bach, I am reminded that historical eras in music are notions we superimpose on what is essentially a continuum: an unbroken thread linking us all, a running stream flowing through us—what the Germans, incidentally, call a Bach.Víkingur Ólafsson.

When I hear Ólafsson play, I feel that continuum; his touch is so distinctive I could listen to him on a constant loop. Such is his knack of delving into the individual’s soul and creating a sound world that lingers, in sensuality and expression.

Continuum is Ólafsson’s personal Bach diary, a dialogue with Bach’s music and an ongoing homage to his artistry. He presents piano arrangements of six works by Bach, four of them realised by Ólafsson himself, and all of which he recorded at Reykjavík’s Harpa concert hall in January. The EP is part one of a new series of recordings in which the pianist continues his dialogue with Bach’s music and pays tribute to his genius. “Not a day goes by without me playing Bach on the piano,” says Ólafsson. “This is the first instalment in what will be an ongoing Bach diary.”

It is difficult not to pause and listen as Ólafsson performs the pieces with such sensitivity; one can't help but hear the beauty flowing through his fingers, meticulously playing the wonderful dynamics and phrasing with a characteristically limpid touch. He is joined by his wife for the four hand arrangement of Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614 and together they deliver a powerful emotional intensity that is both taut and eloquent.

Divine.