Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, are a manifestation of Bach's greatness as a composer. Along with works such as the Mass in B minor, the Goldbergs show Bach to be at the pinnacle of classical music composition. Lasting well over an hour, the work demands extreme virtuosity and keyboard dexterity, as well as the player's ability to hold the listener's attention for a long stretch of time.
Vikingur Olafsson has keyboard dexterity in spades. He also appears to have a real empathy with the keyboard music of the 18th century, and with the music of Bach. I have fourteen versions of the Goldbergs on my shelves, but Olafsson's is now my absolute favourite. His recording of the work lasts for 73 minutes; the recording by Beatrice Rana -- that I also greatly admire -- takes nearly 78 minutes. This is an indication that Olafsson takes the many fast, virtuosic variations at a very fast tempo indeed. One almost suspects recording technology trickery in places; surely eight fingers and two thumbs can't do all that at the same time? However, it's exhilarating to explore this work with Olafsson and his eight fingers and two thumbs. At times, he appears almost to be improvising rather than working to a set blueprint.
The DG recording is admirable, with an interesting essay by Olafsson on the work. Only black mark from me comes from DG's pretence that it is recording a pop artist, and plastering Olafsson's photo in every conceivable place. No picture of J.S.Bach, however.
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