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Vikingur Olafsson

From Afar

Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: July 22, 2022

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Album Trailer
Interview w/ WGTE
1 J.S. Bach: Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 (Arr. G. Kurtág)  
2 Schumann: Study in Canonic Form, Op.56: No. 1  
3 J.S. Bach: Adagio (from Sonata for Solo Violin, BWV 1005) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)  
4 Kurtág: Harmonica (Hommage á Borsody László) (From Játékok / Book 3)  
5 05: Bartók: I. Rubato (Three Hungarian Folksongs from the Csìk)  
6 06: Bartók: II. L’istesso tempo (Three Hungarian Folksongs from the Csìk)  
7 07: Bartók: III. Poco vivo (Three Hungarian Folksongs from the Csìk)  
8 Brahms: Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116 No. 4  
9 Kurtág: A Voice in the Distance (From Játékok / Book 5)  
10 Birgisson: Where Life and Death May Dwell (Icelandic Folk Song)  
11 J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata No. 1, BWV 525: I. Allegro moderato (Arr. G. Kurtág)  
12 Kaldalóns: Ave María (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)  
13 Kurtág: Little Chorale (From Játékok / Book 1)  
14 Mozart: Laudate Dominum (from Vespers, K. 339) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)  
15 Kurtág: Sleepily (From Játékok / Book 1)  
16 Schumann: Träumerei (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)  
17 Kurtág: Flowers We Are (From Játékok / Book 7)  
18 Adès: The Branch  
19 Kurtág: Twittering (From Játékok / Book 1)  
20 Schumann: Vogel als Prophet, Op. 82 No. 7  
21 Brahms: Intermezzo in E Minor, Op. 116 No. 5  
22 Kurtág: Scraps of a Colinda Melody – Faintly Recollected  
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Celebrated for his innovative programming and award-winning recordings, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is offering a window into his musical life story with his new album, From Afar. Due for release on 7 October on Deutsche Grammophon, the highly personal double album reflects Ólafsson’s musical DNA, from childhood memories growing up in Iceland to his international career and contemporary inspirations.

Recorded on both upright and grand pianos, the album captures two distinct sound worlds with works by Bach, Mozart, Schumann, Brahms and Bartók, alongside Icelandic and Hungarian folk songs, a world premiere by Thomas Adès, transcriptions by Ólafsson himself, and interconnecting pieces composed by his hero, 96 year-old Hungarian composer and pianist György Kurtág. The first single, Ave Maria by Sigvaldi Kaldalóns, is released today (listen HERE) along with a new video of Ólafsson introducing the album.

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