After the remarkable global success of his award-winning J.S. Bach recording, celebrated Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson returns with his third solo album. Debussy · Rameau, released today by Deutsche Grammophon, juxtaposes pieces by two of the greatest French composers - both musical revolutionaries - exploring the contrasts and common ground between them. The innovative new recording follows Ólafsson’s extraordinary albums Philip Glass Piano Works and Johann Sebastian Bach.
“As extraordinary innovators of both harmony and form, with a unique ear for colour and a keen sense of the theatrical, both Rameau and Debussy wrote music which engages more senses than just that of hearing.” - Víkingur Ólafsson
Víkingur Ólafsson - Debussy · Rameau (Trailer)
Listen to 'Debussy · Rameau': DG.lnk.to/rameau-debussyMB
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#Piano #VíkingurÓlafsson #Debussy
Mr Olafsson's interpretation of Bach is unprecedented.
It is wonderful to hear how Vikingur manages to give so many intelligent answers to so many dumb questions and transcends them in such a casual way.
Sehr interessante Interpretationen beim Bach und Rameau.Für alle Aufnahmen Respekt. Die Organ Sonaten sind elegant.Das Forte ist niemals banal und überladen. Man hört bei den schnellen Sätze die Leichtigkeit und die präzise Schnelligkeit der Finger die mit einer Ruhe verbunden sind und trotzdem das Maximum an Energie und rhythmische Präzision hervorrufen. Man wird berührt es passiert was....man tritt eine neue Dimension ein,die uns vorher nicht bekannt war. Greetings from Austria.
An exceptional Bach interpreter, able to communicate to a different depth of intimacy.Thank you for creating new emotions. And that Rameau, holy f..., that Rameau!
So grateful to hear him speak at length! We need intelligent discourse these days and we need Vikingur...His Glass album is on endless repeat for me.
Víkingur's concept of how an album should be a microcosm is something that I greatly appreciate as someone who still buys CDs. Having the album be like a little essay really augments the experience and concentration of the listener. With streaming platforms on the rise I have a feeling that the quality of listening and the way that people listen to music is deteriorating. Listening to music becomes something that people do passively and as a background activity, which lessens the impact of (especially) classical music, which requires the listener's full attention. I'm glad to see that Víkingur sees that focusing on the album as an entity in itself draws the listener in, and might be one of the reasons, besides his terrific playing, of his international success. As much as this humble man might claim that he doesn't know how to navigate the music industry, I think that he's getting it exactly right. Thank you, dear Víkingur and Deutsche Grammophon.
I very much like, that you talk about Bach in praesēns tempus. He very much stays alive and present!. He cannot be confined to the "baroque" box. He is - like Shakespeare - ever current!
I’ve just been thinking in the past few days how much I miss album covers and liner notes. This has me tempted to look at getting a physical CD for the first time in a decade. I’m so glad I stumbled on VO’s music, and these video interviews add a wonderful dimension to listening.
Re. liner notes; I only purchase downloaded albums these days, but most providers do give you a .pdf file of the published notes, I assume this is issued by the record company as DG does. Some playing software can view them, otherwise I just read them on a computer or tablet. So you can be full digital, and still read the notes.... I admit perhaps not as satisfying as paper!
Vikingur Olafsson is as magnetic and compelling in his thinking and speaking about music as he is playing it. A truly great artist, whose journey in the years ahead will certainly be enriching to follow.
You are a very compelling story teller. I love to listen to your thoughts a much as I am attracted by your unbelivable playing!
Il est le nec plus ultra du monde du piano...
Awesome! I knew Rameau through you! Thank you so much!
I love Bach of yours!
Obviously, there's a new Titan in this world. Congratulations.
Thank you for this, Vikingur and Deutches Grammophon. Most insightful!
You are most welcome!
I love the interview. Although we meet through music, I am happy to see and hear his smile and voice.
I
Oh that Bach organ sonata... I just printed it out a few days ago as a result of hearing Vikingur's playing. It just clicked now why the young Japanese like it. There are already many popular pieces of music in animated movies (my kids have many of these movies) that follow the guidance of Bach. That vague explanation is as precise as I can get. BTW, I learned about Vikingur only because of the Rameau piano compositions, which I was exploring over the last few years.
The principal genius of this Debussy-Rameau album is, in my view, not the playing (exquisite though it is); it is the concept and programming. Vikingur mentions the concepts done by Cecilia Bartoli as equivalents, which is true, but it is remarkable that these imaginative classical programs and concepts are still so rare. I would encourage DG to support more of these innovative recordings as their impact is huge in a music sector not known for innovation.
Ok then!
I wholeheartedly agree.
We need this innovation in classical music to keep it alive and fresh. Even the videos accompanying some of the recordings are helping. They stimulate more of the imagination. I got so excited by Rameau and his operas after buying the Debussy Rameau album. That's what it is about. Making it all new and finding what you haven't discovered.
Maybe "nostalgia" can be a precise word to define Mr. Ólafsson particular way on evoking memories about a musical piece. That's was my own impressions on listening his transcription of Rameau's Les Boréades, a private journey to a realm we have never inhabit for sure. That is a great interview! Keep this outstanding work and thanks for Deutsche Grammophon
"Are you a typical classical pianist?" I couldn't believe that was actually one of the questions asked of you, but your answer was absolutely perfect! This was a brilliant interview. Thanks for being out there and doing what you do Vikingur. It gives me hope that there are those out there who still venerate the old, and breathe new life into it. Skál!
You are a genius.
I also found it hard to put Rameau and Debussy together but listening to the album showed me it makes perfect sense. They were both musical impressionists. It is also the first time I have heard Rameau on the piano. I have Trevor Pinnock’s excellent recording of many of these pieces on the harpsichord (Les Cyclops) but the piano adds another dimension.
Great video, I was waiting for this video, a full interview of Vikingur. 🙌🙌🙌
I love your Philip Glass interpretations!
Vikingur e massa!!
Thanks.Your Bach album touched me a lot. The organ sonata 4 slow movement really hits me to the core. It’s different interpretation from what I understand as an organist. But your interpretation was a fresh new look at it and you gave it a soul. Thank you so much for that.
il est le nec plus ultra
Is he a virtuoso pianist?