Philip Glass's Piano Etudes. Víkingur Ólafsson, a musical maverick with a special mission, presents his second release for Deutsche Grammophon: Johann Sebastian Bach. This recording offers an exploratory approach to the counterpoint master, who combines sonic sensuality with uncompromising objectivity.
The astute interpreter Ólafsson has previously captivated the classical music world with his performance of Philip Glass's piano études. His 2017 release demonstrated his compelling journey through time and space within minimalist structures. His second album for Deutsche Grammophon, released in September, features an artful combination of original pieces and Bach transcriptions. The pianist emphasizes that Bach is the origin of all music. For Ólafsson, Bach embodies maximalism in contrast to the minimalist music of Glass. On this recording, Ólafsson presents the diverse facets of Bach's contrapuntal output. His lean and unadorned playing is nonetheless extremely expressive, captivating with its sensual experimentation and profound expressiveness. The suggestive intensity of his interpretation enthralls the listeners.