Víkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg Variations

Víkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg Variations description

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Celebrated for his visionary interpretations of J.S. Bach, Víkingur Ólafsson, one of the world’s leading pianists, makes his Australian debut at Adelaide Festival with Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations.

“The Goldberg Variations contain some of the most virtuosic keyboard music ever written, some of the most astonishingly brilliant uses of counterpoint in the repertoire and countless instances of exalted poetry, abstract contemplation and deep pathos – all within immaculately shaped structures of formal perfection. In 30 variations, built on the humble harmonic framework of a simple, graceful aria, Bach turns limited material into boundless variety like no one before or since. He is the greatest keyboard virtuoso of his time.” – Víkingur Ólafsson

Dubbed the “new superstar of classical piano” by the Daily Telegraph, Víkingur Ólafsson has been widely acclaimed for his high-level musicianship and imaginative interpretations. His 2018 recording, Johann Sebastian Bach, won multiple awards, including BBC Music Magazine’s Album of the Year, and led to him being named Gramophone’s Artist of the Year. His attention is now firmly fixed on the Goldberg Variations, the focus of a global tour that sees him performing the work in 88 concerts across six continents.

The Goldberg Variations are sometimes described as a pianist’s ‘musical Everest’. This is a rare opportunity to see a musician of Víkingur Ólafsson’s exceptional talents make the musical climb.

Bach at the keyboard has rarely sounded so fresh, expressive and joyous.

Sunday Times Culture