From Afar

After previously tackling Bach, Mozart, Debussy, Rameau, and Glass, this latest release further expands Vikingur's range of output, with several of the compositions admirably originate in his native Iceland. Aside from the spectacular playing and imaginative interpretations, the sheer diversity displayed here is incredible, with the pieces being composed in years ranging from 1715-2022. Perhaps most staggering is that despite this wide diversity in period and style, each track merges seamlessly from one into another to create a consistent sound. Rather than "rapturous", the playing here is more "evocative", producing tranquil, reflective soundscapes. Sigvaldi Kaldalóns’s “Ave Maria”, and lesser-known Bach composition “Trio Sonata, BWV 525” are highlights, but each piece here feels essential. As an interesting sonic experiment, the same tracks are presented played on both grand piano and upright piano, allowing for a fascinating sound comparison. Personally, I prefer the expansive sound of the grand piano versions. This is a must buy classical album from 2022. Looking forward to Mr. Olafsson’s next endeavor!