CD Review | Goldberg Variations (Deutsche Grammophon, 2023)

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Goldberg Variations
Víkingur Ólafsson, piano
Deutsche Grammophon, October 2023

This Icelandic pianist knows Johann Sebastian Bach like the back of his hand. In his latest album for Deutsche Grammophon, Víkingur Ólafsson tackles a work that is as revered as it is feared by young performers. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for almost 25 years, which is most of my life,” he confides at the launch.

It took him 10 years to tame the Goldberg Variations and finally make this giant of the piano repertoire his own. For a long time, he aimed to find his own voice, his own intimate vision of the work—something that made his interpretation unique. As the fruit of his labour, this recording is a professional and personal achievement for the artist, and a superb example of mastery and savoir-faire.

In the Aria, Víkingur Ólafsson manages to find a singular breath and, right from the outset, to develop an interpretation of great depth, which sets him well above many other pianists. Throughout the piece, he has an almost metronomic respect for rhythm, illustrating the sheer force of Bach’s music. A few rare passages shift slightly in tempo, notably in Variation No. 21. This blend of art and science stands in perfect harmony with the qualities the performer believes are intrinsic to the work. “At all times, its poetry touches us to the core, its musical structure remains immaculate, and the incredible synergy between the two makes it a timeless work.”

Víkingur Ólafsson will perform the Goldberg Variations in concert at Salle Bourgie on Jan. 24, 2024.

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