New Release From Víkingur Ólafsson
There is a new release from celebrated Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson. The double album From Afar on the Deutsche Grammophon label, is described as a “window into his musical life story.”
The very personal double album reflects Ólafsson’s musical DNA, from his childhood in Iceland to his international career and contemporary inspirations. Interestingly, Ólafsson plays on both upright and grand pianos, on this recording, capturing 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 linked with pieces composed by his hero, 96 year-old Hungarian composer and pianist György Kurtág.
The 2 CDs contain 44 tracks in all including transcriptions of the music of J S Bach, excerpts from Schumann’s Kinderszenen and Waldszenen, the Intermezzo, No 4 from 7 Piano Pieces by Brahms, Three Hungarian folk songs by Bartók.
Other recent releases by Víkingur Ólafsson: Mozart & Contemporaries,
