Göteborgs Konserthus Víkingur Ólafsson and the Goldberg Variations

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) The Goldberg Variations BWV 988 There is no doubt that Bach's "Goldberg Variations" are the foremost and most extensive piano works of the Baroque. The sheet music was printed in 1741 and was then called "Aria mit verschiedenen Variationen vors Claviercimbal mit 2 Manualen..." The opening aria had already appeared in Anna Magdalena Bach's piano book in 1725 and consists of two periods of 16 measures, which are divided into phrases of eight measures. It is not at all clear whether Bach himself wrote this aria, but there is no doubt that he composed the 30 variations on the aria. The playing time easily exceeds 70 minutes. When the variations have been played, the aria returns to remind which theme has been varied in such an incredibly impressive way. In total, the Goldberg Variations thus consist of 32 short movements, most between just over one minute and three minutes long. The basic key of the theme is G major and all the variations are written in the same key except for three (no. 15, 21 and 25) which are in A minor. The variations are basically structured in a similar way to the opening aria, but at the same time reveal the master Bach's amazing ability to find new entrances. Every third variation is a canon that is gradually built on increasing intervals. Variation three is thus unison, the sixth in second intervals, until No. 27 which has intervals of a nona. Consistency and finesse are something that permeate the work, and these can give rise to long scientific expositions. It must still be said that the last variation (no. 30) is something completely different, a quodlibet where two German folk songs are combined. Singing two melodies at the same time is said to have been a pleasure cultivated by the Bach family, and here the composer's sense of humor is revealed. But how does Goldberg come into the picture? Well, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg was employed as a harpsichordist by Count Herrmann von Keyserlingk. The count ordered a variation work by Bach, which Goldberg sat and played at night next to the count's bedroom. Music was needed that didn't offer too many surprises. The count loved the music and often asked Goldberg to play some of "his" variations. Bach was awarded a gold goblet filled with gold coins. Stig Jacobsson

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson's unique personality and strong musical convictions have caused him to take the music world by storm in just a few years and become one of the most sought-after artists of our time. He has made an unforgettable impression with his albums of music by Philip Glass, Johann Sebastian Bach and Rameau/Debussy (Deutsche Grammophon). Ólafsson is devoting his entire 2023-2024 season to the Goldberg Variations on a World tour, performing the work across six continents over the season. He brings Bach's masterpieces to major concert halls including London's Southbank Centre, New York's Carnegie Hall, Wiener Konzerthaus, Philharmonie de Paris, Tokyo's Suntory Hall, Harpa Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Walt Disney Hall, Sala São Paulo, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Tonhalle Zurich and Philharmonie Berlin to name a few. His new musical insights in Bach's music have been praised by critics and the 2018 Bach album appeared on many best-of-the-year lists. It also received accolades such as Opus Klassik Classical Piano Solo Recording of the Year 2019, BBC Music Magazine Album of the Year 2019 and was named one of the best Bach recordings ever by Gramophone. Víkingur Ólafsson's recording of Philip Glass's piano music was an equal success and the New York Times called the pianist "Iceland's own Glenn Gould". He was named Gramophone Artist of the Year 2019 and by Limelight Magazine as International Artist of the Year 2019. Other awards include CoScan's International Nordic Person of the Year (2023) and the Rolf Schock Prize for Music (2022).