Víkingur Ólafsson – From Afar (2CD)

UPC: 028948616817 

Label: Deutsche Grammophon – 486 1681 

Format: 2 × CD, Album (Grand Piano / Upright Piano) 

Country: Europe 

Released: 2022 

Genre: Classical 

Style: Baroque, Romantic, Contemporary, Modern

Overview

From Afar is a deeply personal double album by Víkingur Ólafsson, released on Deutsche Grammophon in 2022. Split across two discs – one recorded on a Steinway grand piano and the other on an upright piano – the album reflects both his Icelandic roots and his admiration for György Kurtág, who inspired the project.

The repertoire bridges centuries, from Bach, Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms to Bartók, Thomas Adès, and Icelandic folk songs. Many works appear in Ólafsson’s own transcriptions, emphasizing intimacy and contrast between the grand and upright piano textures.

Product Features

• Format: 2 × CD Album
• Total Time: CD1 – 51:41 | CD2 – 52:02
• Artists: Víkingur Ólafsson (piano, transcriptions, liner notes), Halla Oddný Magnúsdóttir (guest)
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH
• Country of Manufacture: EU
• Recording Date: April 2022
• Release Year: 2022
• Photography: Ari Magg
• Design: Helga G. Magnúsdóttir

Interesting Facts

• This is the first album where Ólafsson records the same program twice on different instruments, creating contrasting sound worlds.
• Inspired by György Kurtág, who encouraged Ólafsson to explore intimate sound palettes.
• Includes an Icelandic folk song arrangement (Where Life and Death May Dwell), connecting personal heritage to universal classical tradition.
• Features collaborations with Halla Oddný Magnúsdóttir and modern composers like Thomas Adès.

Track Listing:

CD 1 – Grand Piano (51:41)

1. Bach: Christe, du Lamm Gottes BWV 619 (arr. Kurtág) – 1:37
2. Schumann: Study in Canonic Form op. 56/1 – 1:56
3. Bach: Adagio from Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 BWV 1005 (arr. Ólafsson) – 4:14
4. Kurtág: Harmonica – 0:59 5–7. Bartók: 3 Hungarian Folk Songs from Csík – 3:21
5. Brahms: Intermezzo in E major op. 116/4 – 5:01
6. Kurtág: A Voice in the Distance – 1:51
7. Snorri Sigfús Birgisson: Where Life and Death May Dwell – 1:53
8. Bach: Allegro moderato from Trio Sonata No. 1 BWV 525 (arr. Kurtág) – 2:24
9. Sigvaldi Kaldalóns: Ave María (arr. Ólafsson) – 3:37
10. Kurtág: Little Chorale – 1:07
11. Mozart: Laudate Dominum (arr. Ólafsson) – 4:56
12. Kurtág: Sleepily – 1:04
13. Schumann: Träumerei op. 15/7 – 2:40
14. Kurtág: Flowers We Are – 1:19
15. Thomas Adès: The Branch – 1:21
16. Kurtág: Twittering – 1:26
17. Schumann: Vogel als Prophet op. 82/7 – 3:53
18. Brahms: Intermezzo in E minor op. 116/5 – 3:31
19. Kurtág: Scraps of a Colinda Melody – 3:20

CD 2 – Upright Piano (52:02)

(Program repeated on upright piano with subtle timing variations)

Publishers & Credits

• Label: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
• Producer: DG Production Team
• Recording: April 2022
• Made in: EU

We welcome your feedback! Share your impressions of this double album and discover the unique sound worlds of Víkingur Ólafsson.

Hashtags

#VíkingurÓlafsson #FromAfar #DeutscheGrammophon #GrandPiano #UprightPiano #GyörgyKurtág #IcelandicFolk #ModernClassical #PianoAlbum