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Vikingur Olafsson

J.S. Bach Works & Reworks

Deutsche Grammophon

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1 For Johann
2 Bach: Prelude BWV 855a - Valgeir Sigurosson Rework
3 Prelude in G Major
4 Above and Below, B Minor
5 Prelude BWV 855a - Ben Frost Ladder Mix
6 Widerstehe doch der Sunde, from BWV 54
7 BWV 974 - II Adagio - rework
8 Minor C Variation
9 ...And At The Hour Of Death
10 Bach mit Zumutungen
11 Kyriena
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Following his critically-acclaimed Johann Sebastian Bach album, pianist Vikingur Ólafsson releases a double LP of Bach Reworks, featuring new arrangements of his Bach transcriptions from electronic artists such as Valgeir Sigurðsson and Ben Frost (Prelude BWV 855a), Peter Gregson (Above and Below, B Minor), and Ryuichi Sakamoto (BWV 974 – II Adagio – Rework).

  • Vikingur Olafsson set to release: 'From Afar' / Pianist
    Posted At: July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
    Pianist - Ellie Palmer writes….Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson will release an album featuring new transcriptions, dedications and a world premiere this October 7 via Deutsche Grammophon. The album reflects Ólafsson’s musical DNA, from childhood memories growing up in Iceland to his international career and contemporary inspirations.There is plenty of variety featured on the album, with Bach, Mozart, Schumann, Br...
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  • Any release by Vikingur Olafsson is a cause for celebration. 'From Afar' is his most personal disc yet / Classical Explorer
    Posted At: July 23, 2022 12:00 AM
    Classical Explorer's Colin Clarke writes….Any release by Víkingur Oláfsson is a cause for celebration. Here on Classical Explorer, we have already covered three releases by the Icelandis pianist: Refllections, a disc of Debussy and Rameau, and a disc of Mozart and his Contemporaries. On release day, Friday October 7, it will be a pleasure to cover this one.

    Celebrated for his innovative programming a...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson chats about 'Mozart & Contemporaries' with All Classical Portland
    Posted At: February 23, 2022 12:00 AM
    "I feel like, when I play Mozart, that I get to know myself as a musician. I get to know sides that I didn't before. He seems to reflect your innermost core in music."  - Víkingur ÓlafssonAfter the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, Debussy · Rameau and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-win...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson wants to change how we think about Mozart / New Classical Tracks
    Posted At: January 5, 2022 12:00 AM
    After the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, Debussy · Rameau and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson now turns his attention to the music of MOZART. Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the company of pieces by a selection of the compo...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Mozart and Contemporaries makes Pianist Magazine's 'Top 10 piano album releases of 2021'
    Posted At: December 15, 2021 12:00 AM

    Pianist Magazine' writes....2021 has treated us to a huge number of new releases from our favourite pianists. Here we've gathered our favourite 10 of the year... Included on our list is Mozart and Contemporaries – Víkingur Ólafsson.   Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the company of pieces by a selection of the composer's lead...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Mozart & Contemporaries makes NPR's 'Top 10 Classical Albums of 2021'
    Posted At: December 8, 2021 12:00 AM

    NPR's Tom Huizenga writes......The opening lines of Franz Schubert's song "An die Musik," his love letter to music from 1817, speaks of personal troubles, of being "caught in life's unruly round," and how the power of music can "lift you to a better world." Those sentiments have been hitting very close to the bone for many of us over the last year or so. Most of the albums on the list bel...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Mozart & Contemporaries wins 'Limelight Instrumental Recording of 2021'
    Posted At: November 29, 2021 12:00 AM

    Limelight writes.....The votes are in, the judges have spoken, and the winner is...Over the past two months, Limelight's panel of critics has been busy scrutinising the 50 outstanding recordings that made the not-­so-­shortlist for our 2021 Recording of the Year.   Mozart & Contemporaries from Víkingur Ólafsson is the shimmering follow-up to last year's award-­w...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson talks about his latest 'Mozart' album with 89.5RadioIQ
    Posted At: November 26, 2021 12:00 AM

    After the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, Debussy · Rameau and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson now turns his attention to the music of MOZART. Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the ...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson chats with Classical Radio about 'Mozart & Contemporaries'
    Posted At: November 22, 2021 12:00 AM

    After the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, Debussy · Rameau and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson now turns his attention to the music of MOZART. Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the ...
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  • There's warmth and clarity on Vikingur Olafsson's 'Mozart & Contemporaries' / LIMELIGHT - Editors Choice
    Posted At: November 2, 2021 12:00 AM

    After the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, Debussy · Rameau and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson now turns his attention to the music of MOZART. Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the ...
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  • 'Mozart & Contemporaries' is artfully brought together by Vikingur Olafsson's thought-provoking programming / 98.7WFMT: Featured New Release
    Posted At: October 5, 2021 12:00 AM

    WFMT writes......For his latest album, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson presents some of his favorite Mozart keyboard works in the company of pieces by a selection of the composer's leading contemporaries. Juxtaposing works by Mozart, Haydn, and C.P.E. Bach with rarely-recorded Galuppi and Cimarosa, Mozart & Contemporaries dispels the image of Mozart as the angelic prodigy, instead p...
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  • Always fresh Vikingur Olafsson releases 'Mozart & Contemporaries' and makes 'The Guardian - Classical home listening'
    Posted At: August 30, 2021 12:00 AM

    After the global successes of Philip Glass · Piano Works, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Debussy · Rameau Reflections (227.5 million career streams to date and over 320K albums sold), multi-award-winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson now turns his attention to the music of MOZART. Ólafsson presents some of his favourite Mozart keyboard works in the company of pieces by a s...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Philip Glass: Piano Works. Simplicity that is almost majestic / The Guardian
    Posted At: January 24, 2021 12:00 AM

    For Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson's debut album on Deutsche Grammophon, he is performing selections of Philip Glass's Piano Etudes. Ólafsson's fascination with reinterpreting the Piano Etudes grew as he toured and performed the works with Glass himself. Released for the composer's 80th birthday, the pianist says; "On the surface, they seem to...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's beautiful tribute to Debussy and Rameau is the 90.1WRTI: Classical Album of the Week
    Posted At: January 11, 2021 12:00 AM

    Vikingur Olafsson writes......Debussy has been with me as far back as I can remember, but my first encounter with the keyboard music of Rameau was Emil Gilels' 1951 recording of "Le rappel des oiseaux", which I came across during my student days in New York. I was immediately fascinated by the music and how well it lends itself to the modern piano, at least in Gilels' noble rendition, with its la...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's 'Rameau 'The Arts and the Hours' makes The New York Times '25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2020'
    Posted At: December 17, 2020 12:00 AM

    Listen to our critics' favorites from a year in which much of the energy in music came from recordings. By Anthony Tommasini, Zachary Woolfe, Joshua Barone, Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, David Allen and Seth Colter Walls Few musicians craft their albums with as much care as Vikingur Olafsson, whose "Debussy Rameau" is a brilliantly conceived, nearly 30-track conversation across centuries between t...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Debussy / Rameau makes NPR: Best Music Of 2020
    Posted At: December 4, 2020 12:00 AM

    This week we shared NPR Music's best songs and albums of 2020, lists voted on, politely argued over and presented by our staff, station partners and contributors. Today we're featuring the good stuff from the private reserves. Below you'll find lists of top 10 albums and songs from the members of NPR Music's staff. Jacob Ganz - SENIOR EDITOR, NPR MUSIC writes; I craved proficiency...
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  • VIkingur Olafsson on what makes a winning combination / LIMELIGHT
    Posted At: November 23, 2020 12:00 AM

    Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has won the Limelight Recording of the Year 2020 for his album pairing music by Debussy and Rameau on Deutsche Grammophon. This may be only his third recording for the Yellow Label, but Ólafsson has made repeated waves thanks to his distinctive and refreshing approach to programming coupled with a breathtaking clarity of technique. Clive Paget caug...
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  • udiscovermusic. launches global poll to find today's favourite classical artist / Pianist
    Posted At: November 23, 2020 12:00 AM

    A brand new global poll is launching to find today's best-loved classical musician. The poll gives voters a shortlist of 100 best-selling living classical artists to choose from. The uDiscover Classical 100 is the first of its kind – a major international initiative, offering fans worldwide the chance to vote for their favourite living artist. Based on global sales data, The uDiscover Clas...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's exquisite new album is 'music for all the senses' / 89.9KCRW - Rhythm Planet
    Posted At: October 6, 2020 12:00 AM

    A few weeks ago, a new recording of Claude Debussy and Jean-Philippe Rameau works by Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson arrived in the mail courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon. I wondered at the pairing of these two French composers, who lived centuries apart. I know Debussy (1862-1918) well, but Rameau (1683-1764) not so much. Then I started listening. Boy, was I in for a surprise! As alw...
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  • Classical artists juxtapose the ancient and modern, the familiar and obscure / 105.9WQXR
    Posted At: September 11, 2020 12:00 AM

    After decades of respectful, even beatific enshrinement, classical repertoire is being challenged, tested, and "tough loved" by its fondest champions. Among the smartest recording labels, one-composer programs - the norm since the arrival of the LP record in the early 1950s - are giving way to conceptual collections of music that juxtapose the ancient and modern, progressive and retrogressive, as wel...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson: npr - Tiny Desk 'home' concert
    Posted At: August 12, 2020 12:00 AM

    The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space. "I hope everybody stays safe and is good to each other," Víkingur Ólafsson says at the end of this beautiful four...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson juxtaposes and explores the contrasts and common ground on 'Debussy and Rameau' / WFMT 'Featured New Release'
    Posted At: April 20, 2020 12:00 AM

    After the remarkable global success of his award-winning Bach recording, celebrated Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson returns with his third solo album. Debussy · Rameau juxtaposes pieces by two of the greatest French composers – both musical revolutionaries – exploring the contrasts and common ground between them. Ólafsson says, "As extraordinary innovators of b...
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  • 'The Arts and the Hours' from Vikingur Olafsson's Debussy / Rameau makes The Reykjavic Grapevine playlist
    Posted At: April 14, 2020 12:00 AM

    Looking for some new tunes? Presenting the legendary Grapevine playlist. Here's Jean-Philippe Rameau - Víkingur Ólafsson arr. of "The Arts and the Hours" The perfect track for these anxiety-inducing times, Vikingur Olafsson's virtuoso piano playing will soothe even the most jangled nerves. Víkingur's arrangement-transcribed from Rameau's last opera ‘Les Boréades'...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Debussy and Rameau makes npr music's 'top 11 albums of march'
    Posted At: March 31, 2020 12:00 AM

    Music affords an escape, takes us back in time to reflect on the present, mirrors our aches and joys and offers serenity. As relentless news about the coronavirus continues, these albums were gifts during difficult times. This month, that included surprise drops from Víkingur Oláfsson. With his trademark transparency and warmth, Víkingur Oláfsson facilitates a co...
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  • npr's conversation between the keys with Vikingur Olafsson
    Posted At: March 30, 2020 12:00 AM

    When Víkingur Ólafsson was about 5 years old, he already knew what he wanted to be. "It sounds crazy, but I always saw myself as a concert pianist," he says. "Even if I wasn't a good pianist." The Icelandic musician, who turned 36 last month, has become a very good pianist indeed. Whether playing baroque or contemporary music, Ólafsson's technique is formidable, but it...
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  • npr: Our Daily Breather - Tom Huizenga on Vikingur Olafsson's restorative Rameau
    Posted At: March 20, 2020 12:00 AM

    People worldwide have absorbed the guidelines as the coronavirus pandemic has closed its fist around the world. There is also the question of how to care for the psyche. It's a deeply personal matter. Some turn to prayer, or to a song, a story, a ritual, a favorite corner of the house. Psychic health is not just about becoming calmer, either. Anger and frustration and fear have to find their channels...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's latest recording is a sprawling juxtaposition of Debussy and Rameau / The New York Times
    Posted At: March 20, 2020 12:00 AM

    The pianist Vikingur Olafsson's recording career could be described as a constant refusal to be pinned down. His debut on the Deutsche Grammophon label, in 2017, featured Philip Glass's études, and he was encouraged to follow it with more Minimalism. But Mr. Olafsson insisted on something else entirely: a winding album of Bach. Again, he was asked to record more of the same. And again, Mr....
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  • Watch Vikingur Olafsson play Debussy 'La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin' from new DG album / udiscovermusic.
    Posted At: February 26, 2020 12:00 AM

    Following his critically acclaimed and multi-award winning recording Johann Sebastian Bach, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson will release his new album, Debussy • Rameau, on 27 March 2020. The innovative recording juxtaposes pieces by two giants of French music, Claude Debussy and Jean-Philippe Rameau, exploring the contrasts and common ground between them.  Ólafsson...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's much-anticipated new Debussy - Rameau album makes the GRAMOPHONE 'Listening Room'
    Posted At: January 21, 2020 12:00 AM

    James Jolly's fortnightly playlist includes a taster of Víkingur Ólafsson's much-anticipated new album 'Debussy - Rameau', Ruby Hughes singing Rhian Samuel's Clytemnestra, Jean-Philippe Collard in Granados's Goyescas and Sheku Kanneh-Mason's Elgar Cello Concerto with Sir Simon Rattle One of the most hotly anticipated albums this quarter is the third release f...
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  • V?kingur Olafsson - J.S. Bach Works & Reworks makes All About Jazz: Best Releases Of 2019
    Posted At: December 13, 2019 12:00 AM

    Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has found himself soaked to the skin in accolades in 2019. It all began auspiciously enough with the pianist with Ólafsson beginning piano early, taught by his mother, a music teacher. Ólafsson eventually attended and matriculated from the Juilliard School in New York, with a Bachelor's and Master's degrees directed by Jerome Lowenth...
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  • Daniil Trifonov and Vikingur Olafsson honoured at BBC Music Magazine Awards / udiscovermusic.
    Posted At: April 11, 2019 12:00 AM

    Two of the most prominent pianists on the Deutsche Grammophon roster were honoured at last night's (10 April) BBC Music Magazine Awards. Daniil Trifonov's Destination Rachmaninov – Departure won the Concerto category and Víkingur Ólafsson's Johann Sebastian Bach was doubly recognised, as both Best Instrumental Album and Album of the Year. "I am very touched to win this important a...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Johann Sebastian Bach is the WRTI: Classical Album of the Week
    Posted At: January 14, 2019 12:00 AM

    Fresh, emotional, crystalline as glacial water - these are words to describe Icelandic pianist Vikingur Ólafsson's stunning recording, released this season by Deutsche Grammophon, of music of Johann Sebastian Bach. "Bach is a free country." So writes Ólaffson, quoting a "wise man" at the beginning of his own extensive liner notes to the album. This intriguing idea encapsulates the interpret...
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  • The open mindedness of genre hopping - Gramophone
    Posted At: November 7, 2018 12:00 AM

    If anyone doubts the astonishing range and quality of classical music recordings being made today – and, I hope, regular readers of these pages would harbour no such perception – then they should really take heed of this month's releases. Choosing the Editor's Choices is always a difficult task, but this month it was doubly so given just how many recordings had drawn such heart-felt plaudits ...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's brilliant take on Bach is KDFC: Album Of the Week
    Posted At: October 23, 2018 12:00 AM

    Víkingur Ólafsson is a musical free spirit with a mission. He first made the classical world sit up and listen in early 2017 with his recording of solo piano works by Philip Glass – a fascinating journey through the time and space of their minimalist structures. Glass is now followed by Bach. Ólafsson's second Deutsche Grammophon album, the pithily entitled Bach, contains a...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson's brilliant take on Bach is KUSC: Album Of the Week
    Posted At: October 15, 2018 12:00 AM

    Víkingur Ólafsson is a musical free spirit with a mission. He first made the classical world sit up and listen in early 2017 with his recording of solo piano works by Philip Glass – a fascinating journey through the time and space of their minimalist structures. Glass is now followed by Bach. Ólafsson's second Deutsche Grammophon album, the pithily entitled Bach, contains a...
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  • Vikingur Olafsson - Johann Sebastian Bach is WCRB 'CD of the Week'
    Posted At: October 8, 2018 12:00 AM

    After completing his studies, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson became a "student" of Bach and immersed himself in his music. "He was just the teacher I needed: the kind that teaches you to be your own teacher." His stunning new recording of original and transcribed works by Bach is WCRB's CD of the Week. Víkingur Ólafsson begins his notes for his new Bach CD by reme...
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