From Afar (2CD)

Celebrated for his innovative programming and award-winning recordings, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is offering a window into his musical life story with his new album. The highly personal double album reflects Ólafsson’s musical DNA, from childhood memories growing up in Iceland to his international career and contemporary inspirations.

MORE INFORMATION

Recorded on both upright and grand pianos, the album captures 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 interconnecting pieces composed by his hero, 96 year-old Hungarian composer and pianist György Kurtág.

In a bold move, Ólafsson has recorded the album twice – on grand piano and on felt-covered upright, offering the same music with two different timbres. He captures the intimacy granted by the upright, as well as the full palette possible with the grand piano.

TRACK LIST

Grand Piano

J.S. Bach: Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 (Arr. G. Kurtág)
Schumann: Study in Canonic Form, Op.56: No. 1
J.S. Bach: Adagio (from Sonata for Solo Violin, BWV 1005) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Harmonica (Hommage á Borsody László) (From Játékok / Book 3)
Bartók: The Peacock (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/1)
Bartók: At the Jánoshida Fairground (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/2)
Bartók: White Lily (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/3)
Brahms: Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116 No. 4
Kurtág: A Voice in the Distance (From Játékok / Book 5)
Birgisson: Where Life and Death May Dwell (Icelandic Folk Song)
J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata No. 1, BWV 525: I. Allegro moderato (Arr. G. Kurtág)
Kaldalóns: Ave María (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Little Chorale (From Játékok / Book 1)
Mozart: Laudate Dominum (from Vespers, K. 339) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Sleepily (From Játékok / Book 1)
Schumann: Träumerei (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Kurtág: Flowers We Are (From Játékok / Book 7)
Adès: The Branch
Kurtág: Twittering (From Játékok / Book 1)
Schumann: Vogel als Prophet, Op. 82 No. 7
Brahms: Intermezzo in E Minor, Op. 116 No. 5
Kurtág: Scraps of a Colinda Melody – Faintly Recollected (Hommage à Farkas Ferenc) (From Játékok / Book 3)

Upright Piano

J.S. Bach: Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 (Arr. G. Kurtág)
Schumann: Study in Canonic Form, Op.56: No. 1
J.S. Bach: Adagio (from Sonata for Solo Violin, BWV 1005) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Harmonica (Hommage á Borsody László) (From Játékok / Book 3)
Bartók: The Peacock (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/1)
Bartók: At the Jánoshida Fairground (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/2)
Bartók: White Lily (from 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík, Sz. 35a/3)
Brahms: Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116 No. 4
Kurtág: A Voice in the Distance (From Játékok / Book 5)
10 Birgisson: Where Life and Death May Dwell (Icelandic Folk Song)
J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata No. 1, BWV 525: I. Allegro moderato (Arr. G. Kurtág)
Kaldalóns: Ave María (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Little Chorale (From Játékok / Book 1)
Mozart: Laudate Dominum (from Vespers, K. 339) (Arr. Víkingur Ólafsson)
Kurtág: Sleepily (From Játékok / Book 1)
Schumann: Träumerei (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Kurtág: Flowers We Are (From Játékok / Book 7)
Adès: The Branch
Kurtág: Twittering (From Játékok / Book 1)
Schumann: Vogel als Prophet, Op. 82 No. 7
Brahms: Intermezzo in E Minor, Op. 116 No. 5
Kurtág: Scraps of a Colinda Melody – Faintly Recollected (Hommage à Farkas Ferenc) (From Játékok / Book 3)