A Bold New Vision for Beethoven
In a refreshing departure from convention, the acclaimed Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has released a groundbreaking new album on the Deutsche Grammophon label. Rather than presenting Beethoven's final three piano sonatas as a traditional set, Ólafsson's Opus 109 focuses intently on the Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109, placing it within a carefully curated musical lineage that illuminates both its historical roots and its contemporary resonance.
Weaving a Musical Tapestry
Ólafsson's conceptual masterstroke lies in his deliberate programming. The album opens with J.S. Bach's E major Prelude from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, establishing a baroque foundation that the pianist argues is essential to understanding late Beethoven. He detects Bach's 'musical fingerprints' throughout these works, particularly in their improvisatory spirit and dance-inspired elements.
This baroque sensibility flows directly into a diaphanous performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90, which Ólafsson positions as a direct precursor to the Op. 109. Following this, Bach's final Partita serves as a substantial interlude, cleansing the palate before the introduction of Schubert's rarely heard Piano Sonata No. 6 in E minor. In this context, the Schubert piece appears strikingly indebted to Beethoven's earlier Op. 90, creating a fascinating dialog across composers.
The Transcendent Centrepiece
The album's architecture builds inexorably toward its namesake, and the transition into the long-awaited Op. 109 is described as nothing short of breathtaking. Ólafsson's interpretation is being hailed as one of the most beautiful accounts ever committed to record. His performance is noted for its exceptional variety in articulation and a pellucid clarity that reveals new dimensions in this familiar masterpiece.
For Ólafsson, who experiences synaesthesia, the consistent use of E major and E minor throughout the album is significant, as he associates these keys with various shades of green. This personal connection perhaps informs the unique colour and texture he brings to each composition.
While traditionalists might question this unconventional approach to programming, those willing to embark on Ólafsson's journey will find themselves rewarded with transcendent vistas onto a brave new world of classical interpretation. The album is available for streaming on platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
