Thanks for this! Love your highlights and your blog in general! I had the lucky fortune to see him play in Iceland, on his fortieth birthday, when he played the Goldberg. Simply astounding. (FWIW, I wrote about it here: https://www.viking2917.com/vikingur-olafsson-harpa-in-iceland/)
The quality of sound Vikingur coaxes from the piano boggles my mind. Then, the poised artistry of his phrasing? Such an abundance of riches.
I was gutted not to be able to make his recital in the Twin Cities a few weeks ago. I saw him here in early 2022, a recital in a candlelit former warehouse space where his entire program alternated between Glass and Bach. Hands down, one of the top 3 live musical experiences of my life. He helped me discover such a connection between these composers' works.
Loved your take on the recording and the selection of highlights you chose for us. Glad to have found your SS, Evan!
Thanks for this kind note, Michael. I also got to see VO last year playing his Mozart program in Princeton -- another of my favorite all time concerts. I'm jealous of your night of Bach/Glass!
On your recommendation, I will give this album a listen.
I have to admit that I am very attached to the Gould recordings, especially the final one. Perhaps because I am Canadian, perhaps because he was my introduction to Bach, perhaps for the memories...
I was stuck on Gould for a while too — he’s tremendous. But after exploring other interpretations you see how quirky Gould was. It’s nice that such an odd interpreter is the standard bearer. For something that’s the polar opposite from the Gould WTC check out Till Fellner, whose playing is like skating on a freshly smoothed surface.
I’ve always loved Bach, and the Goldberg variations in particular, but I have to admit I’m fairly uneducated on either. Today, thanks to The Honest Broker I found an entry point to learn more about both.
Thanks Bob - I'm formally uneducated but a pretty good and engaged listener. Trying to share the good vibes here and get people listening deeply and uncovering their own gems.
Thanks for this, T.J.! I'm an amateur musician. For this project, I typically listen to Bach while going on my morning walk, using Apple Music and Airpods Pro, and I take notes with the native iOS app. The noise cancellation and fidelity is pretty good -- I don't feel like I'm missing much, and it allows me to concentrate.
I've got two kids at home so quiet contemplative time after school is rare... I do have a home office with a nice speaker setup where I listen while doing my desktop work for my job.
I'm lucky that there's plenty of music overlap with my wife, but also plenty of stuff I love that she can't stand. We make it work.
Finding stuff that you enjoy on your own is important too! In my experience I've seen the most successful couples have things they love together and things they love apart...
Thanks for this! Love your highlights and your blog in general! I had the lucky fortune to see him play in Iceland, on his fortieth birthday, when he played the Goldberg. Simply astounding. (FWIW, I wrote about it here: https://www.viking2917.com/vikingur-olafsson-harpa-in-iceland/)
Wow, what luck! Glad you had such a moving experience. That hall looks incredible -- one day I'll get there, too.
I had to move my trip from a different week, so I lucked into it. When one door closes, another opens :) (and yes, the hall is amazing!)
The quality of sound Vikingur coaxes from the piano boggles my mind. Then, the poised artistry of his phrasing? Such an abundance of riches.
I was gutted not to be able to make his recital in the Twin Cities a few weeks ago. I saw him here in early 2022, a recital in a candlelit former warehouse space where his entire program alternated between Glass and Bach. Hands down, one of the top 3 live musical experiences of my life. He helped me discover such a connection between these composers' works.
Loved your take on the recording and the selection of highlights you chose for us. Glad to have found your SS, Evan!
Thanks for this kind note, Michael. I also got to see VO last year playing his Mozart program in Princeton -- another of my favorite all time concerts. I'm jealous of your night of Bach/Glass!
This guy is the best. I love him. I think it's Gould than him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3-rNMhIyuQ
My fav. I don't think of Bach as "sexy" but this is sexy.
Pretty sure the Goldberg story is totally bogus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldberg_Variations
Thanks for reminding me about VO
Thanks, Paul.
Great video -- I actually referenced it earlier in this project. So cool it's gotten so much attention.
https://yearofbach.substack.com/p/january-2-the-six-trio-sonatas-bwv
The Goldberg origin story is too good to check, as they say.
This is really as good as it gets
On your recommendation, I will give this album a listen.
I have to admit that I am very attached to the Gould recordings, especially the final one. Perhaps because I am Canadian, perhaps because he was my introduction to Bach, perhaps for the memories...
I was stuck on Gould for a while too — he’s tremendous. But after exploring other interpretations you see how quirky Gould was. It’s nice that such an odd interpreter is the standard bearer. For something that’s the polar opposite from the Gould WTC check out Till Fellner, whose playing is like skating on a freshly smoothed surface.
Following your advice. Many thanks.
I’ve always loved Bach, and the Goldberg variations in particular, but I have to admit I’m fairly uneducated on either. Today, thanks to The Honest Broker I found an entry point to learn more about both.
Thanks Bob - I'm formally uneducated but a pretty good and engaged listener. Trying to share the good vibes here and get people listening deeply and uncovering their own gems.
Thanks for this, T.J.! I'm an amateur musician. For this project, I typically listen to Bach while going on my morning walk, using Apple Music and Airpods Pro, and I take notes with the native iOS app. The noise cancellation and fidelity is pretty good -- I don't feel like I'm missing much, and it allows me to concentrate.
I've got two kids at home so quiet contemplative time after school is rare... I do have a home office with a nice speaker setup where I listen while doing my desktop work for my job.
I'm lucky that there's plenty of music overlap with my wife, but also plenty of stuff I love that she can't stand. We make it work.
Finding stuff that you enjoy on your own is important too! In my experience I've seen the most successful couples have things they love together and things they love apart...