Víkingur Ólafsson - Bach: Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54 (Transcr. by Víkingur Ólafsson)

[@deutschegrammophon]

Do you enjoy Vikingur Olafsson‘s performance of this timeless piece?

[@illilillli1803]

of course!!

[@claudegratton3419]

Mais oui

[@miro.georgiev97]

Absolutely. He gives Bach a certain gentleness that I think is lacking in more "classic" performances, especially on period instruments.

[@janetsmith2600]

Deutsche Grammophon Soft, tender, gentle and saturated with beauty. A Bach journey I wish would never end.

[@marshallbrickman7619]

Lucky (for us!) Perfect synthesis of recording engineering, piano design and of course the genius of VO. Like the lining up of the planets in Kubrick’s 2001.

[@ernst-dietmarhorstmann4949]

I am a church musician myself and know this cantata. But why does this performance on a piano move me to tears? In humble eyes ist this young man a genius and a gift for the world.

[@tomsport4537]

Yep, Greetings to Ohlsdorf!

[@inclinethineearmusic2732]

Yes - this is music to die for. And when I hear it I am not afraid to die.

[@ernst-dietmarhorstmann4949]

​@@inclinethineearmusic2732 For me too.Why fear death ? Death is our destiny. Gospel of Markus 4:40: He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Fear is from the devil. We will keep our faith in the light of the world. Jesus Christ. Nobody can harm us. Best wishes from the north of Germany.

[@inclinethineearmusic2732]

@@ernst-dietmarhorstmann4949 I have faith the size of a mustard seed - so, all fears and mountains are cast into the sea.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

It's the harmonic structure of this masterpiece. It's uplifting and beguilingly beautiful. It intentionally touches all our deep emotions and flows like the wind over a beautiful sun-kissed meadow.

[@1me0815]

Wenn ein Klavier plötzlich klingt wie ein gemischter Chor mit vielen verschiedenen Stimmfarben ..TOLL.SEHR FEINE SACHE DAS GANZE❤

[@stephenmyers7298]

He completely transcends the piano and transforms this masterpiece into an expression of pure spirituality.

[@normangensler7380]

It also appears that he must be playing some very top form pianos!

[@dmswan3172]

He sure does!🎹🌺🌹

[@henrique7612]

Every time I hear Olafsson I get an imense happiness to know that I'm alive to hear this man playing. I didn't live to see Gould playing, but I can see Olafsson.

[@gjonss]

How true! I have listened to Gould for so many years and wished that I had the opportunity to see him perform live - I know that not many people had that amazing opportunity given the fact that he withdrew to almost exclusively recording in the studio. And now we have Vikingur - what an incredible artist. So many people have had their eyes opened to the beauty of Bach through his playing.

[@RaymondGautier-ws2cm]

Gould is a monument by himself, but a few of his interpretations are rubbish, because of extreme tempi.

[@MoodyWatters]

@@RaymondGautier-ws2cm Quite right there.

[@henrique7612]

I agree, he did some strange recordings I can't comprehend, however he made some uniquely good stuff too.

[@keybawd4023]

His use of the pedal is by itself something to be admired - such incredible effects of sound upon sound. And his rhythm is always dancing forward. He gives each voice a different quality - it is incredible, how does he do it? I have been listening to pianists for over 60 years and I have seen the great ones of nowadays emerge, BUT this young man is something very special.

[@peacerespect98]

He is gifted with special music sensors and he sees colors in every note. Very talented and a nice human being.

[@Natalie-dw9jy]

Totally agree... he brings a pedaling to it that reminds me of what I've heard in minimalist pieces like Hans Otte's "Book of Sounds". It works remarkably well... he's an astounding talent. Astounding.

[@ronwalker4849]

YOU SHOW THE IGNORANCE OF PEOPLE FROM BEFORE WW1. YOU HAVE A LONG WAY TO EVOLVE MUSICALLY.

[@TheSummoner]

@@ronwalker4849 You still have to learn to use the Caps Lock key properly. DON'T YOU THINK RON?!?

[@keybawd4023]

@@ronwalker4849 How often do they let you out for exercise? And do you take the medication daily?

[@St_Pablo298]

Just perfect. Would never think a piano transcription could rival the original, but here we are.

[@elenagekker1739]

I kind of like him better. He was wonderful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Ddaahth5KUh9U

[@ikseldecorativearts8139]

The Romanticism in Bach can only be revealed, not added. Supremely complex in its structure, Bach’s music is full of humanity as well. Some musicians bring out the structure, others privilege sound and emotion. Both approaches can be justified and admired because Bach is a kind of cathedral all to himself.

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

I used to be a bone-dry purist on this issue. Both approaches have merit. Some of the best interpretations of Bach that I have ever heard do not follow what is accepted as standard Baroque practice. The bottom line is, nobody knows how people played back in Bach's day. We only have educated guesses, and I certainly enjoy the historically-informed style. Ultimately, we are only guessing.

[@MichaelCWBell]

Nice response man. Just wondering though how you define your use of “Romanticism”? That term seems peculiar to the C19th whereas the feeling of Bach for me here is a yearning for beauty, love and grace in the highest sense. Ideals that quite transcend a label like that.

[@pianosbloxworld4460]

@@Musicienne-DAB1995 Well, let’s say that a musically convincing interpretation is good. I don’t like a Romantic approach to Bach, but one with a good tone and sorting out contrapuntal voices appropriately is all good for me. Plus, Bach has some Romantic elements in his music (chromaticism, for example). Truly ahead of his time.

[@andiemusik1660]

Ólafsson is a master, if not THE master in conveying the absolute timelessness of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. I can only express gratefulness for the coming of this extraordinary pianist and the music of Bach.

[@deutschegrammophon]

Thanks for much for your warm words.

[@kaidwig6132]

LOL

[@keybawd4023]

Are you saying thank you on behalf of Vikingur or @@deutschegrammophon?

[@veranovo3091]

Wunderbar

[@jdane2277]

I feel the same way. It's been a long time since a pianist got to me the way Olafsson has done. He has such an original sound but so honest to the music.

[@keybawd4023]

Olafsson's playing is simply heavenly

[@kaidwig6132]

LOL

[@reamartin6458]

It’s cardboard and empty

[@prokastinatore]

Beautiful how this dude worked out each different voice in this polyphonic masterpiece. It sounds like a choir! This is a real musician kissed by Bach, the godfather of composition!

[@jan-pietervanwaasbergen9870]

This is so beautiful, it is heaven. I love this music so much, in one mounth april 2021 I shall be grand dad for the first time, a grand daughter. I shall sing for her Bach and listen with her to Bach and hope she will love classical music as much as I do, now for 57 years. Stay safe, greetings from the Netherlands

[@mysticmouse7261]

He plays with such veneration and respect for the transcendent beauty that is Bach.

[@edmondzeldin7036]

He plays this wonderful piece at about the same ultra-slow tempo as Glenn Gould's performance. This is a treasure.

[@edmondzeldin7036]

He even moves like Gould, albeit more subtly.

[@elenagekker1739]

I woudn't say so. Here is gould for those who forgot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Ddaahth5KUh9U

[@tombombadyl4535]

I have never heard an Olafsson performance that I found annoying. Not so with Gould. Faint praise, I know.

[@jriquelmem]

Mr. Ofafsson gave me a whole new Bach. Deep from the heart. God bless you

[@valleybrook]

I have found out today that Vikingur is my new musical hero. I just like his playing. His technique and musical feeling is to me pure perfection.

[@metamurph]

lovely and bravo to the recording engineer too

[@barney6888]

I never thought I'd hear this played right. I guess I'm shocked. Thank you Maestro Olafsson for not sawing your way through the trees and instead, presenting us the path in the woods.

[@bubffm]

A very romantic view of Bach. But - why not. His playing is immaculate

[@doddsalfa]

True it’s great to better Bach

[@vijayraghavan6383]

But a romantic view does nothing fit the lyrics at all :-)

[@doddsalfa]

@@vijayraghavan6383 in what way ?:)

[@vijayraghavan6383]

@@doddsalfa “Just resist sin “ does not come to mind with Vikingur’s performance.

[@johncitizen9540]

Compare this approach to baroque keyboard with his recording of Marcello concerto. Very different. It's like two different pianists.

[@gsmeeuwsen]

Quite possibly the very most gorgeous rendition of the most gorgeous piece ever composed...

[@Kitty9862]

I was almost crying while listening to this piano version of Bach' cantata.

[@stedfo111]

I think Vikingur Olafsson is very humble to the music and the composers. He reminds me of Dinu Lipatti. But of course Vikingur is a genius, transmitting all this wonderful music in his own way. He gives comfort and soul happiness to so many people in need. I speek a language that was the same as Vinkingurs Icelandic a thousand years ago.

[@ElMelomanopesimista]

This interpretation opens a new Bachian microcosms

[@Pookleberry]

Fabulous and astute observation.

[@jqnymusic]

Utterly sublime. It's in an ethereal class of it's own.

[@jorgelovera1638]

He's playing LOVE💜

[@karenseymour10]

I love the sensitivity and gentleness with which Víkingur plays everything, not just J S Bach. He is an exceptional talent. I am a massive fan! Bravissimo! 🎉❤

[@playcloudpluspc]

Wow, such incredible control, clarity and precision.

[@dardino6529]

What a beautiful transcription

[@samueletravaglini]

I think about 19 people who don't like this music. They are heartless. Absolutely.

[@nickciob]

I agree!

[@joshuasaltzman2403]

After hearing the recording of this, I had to seek out a video to believe that it was really one pianist - not so much because of the technical aspect as that I couldn't believe two hands could create that many distinct dynamic and timbral effects at the same time yet play so smoothly.

[@cebennett11]

Utterly gorgeous, music that touches with divine Love deep into the depths of the Soul! Thank you for your technical and tender artistry and for choosing J.S. Bach!

[@bjornstein2366]

Such an amazing rendition of this song!

[@Talisman0011]

Ce jeune pianiste est un virtuose , on découvre la beauté de cette œuvre sous chaque note tant le tempo est d'une douceur mélodieuse , comme Bach l'aurait aimé ..... à l'écoute de cette cantate l'émotion laisse couler quelques larmes de bonheur , je n'ai jamais jusqu'alors entendu une telle puissance dans la mélodie , ce jeune homme à le coeur jusqu'au bout des doigts , il est né pour Bach , je le ressens ainsi ...Bien sur il y a ey Gould , mais Gould n'avait pas pour lui les instruments de notre époque qui donnent un relief plus accentué encore..... Merci Monsieur Olafsson pour votre talent et merci à J.S.Bach sans qui rien ne serait possible...Bach est le plus Grand.....

[@1me0815]

Bach wird es immer geben ..auch wenn es und nicht mehr gibt 😎🤗

[@uweschollmeyer9409]

Wen oder was nicht mehr gibt?

[@nikt7883]

@@uweschollmeyer9409 uns

[@PommerscherKater]

Ja, seine Musik ist zeitlos.

[@kaidwig6132]

langweiliges leeres Geklimper mehr nicht !

[@henryalexis6330]

​@@kaidwig6132 Du tust mir Leid.. Und dann auch noch solch einen hochgestochenen Namen.

[@SteveLinGuitar]

What a stunning performance, from the opening rumbles that give rise to the foundations of earth to those sparkling tones that glisten past the stars, towards the gates of heaven. Sin seems to manifest in the seductive modulations, but the recapitulation delivers us from evil. There is comfort and even some courage upon returning to E-flat, like god's way of reminding us that we aren't alone in this world, even when it is darkest. I'm thankful to be alive to hear Ólafsson capture Bach with so much depth and dignity. Widerstehe doch der Sünde has always been one of the pieces that made me wonder if Bach knew--at the time of writing--that he nailed it.

[@isabellenicaud3725]

He is dancing while playing piano, what a smooth dance !

[@ant8064]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.. Thank you Vikingur.

[@X.Milkshake.X]

Soooo warm . Thanks God 🙏🏼

[@arcana830]

Beautiful. A masterful balance of voices.

[@marycavender7136]

A soothing tonic for a troubled heart with a heavy mind! The parallel of the only peace for just a few moments in time out of the day!👍🎵🎶🌹💛🖤❤️

[@jaapslager9671]

So beautiful! i could hear this a thousand times.

[@celialampe8232]

I listen to this every day several times, so very beautiful, thank you!

[@CraigLemming37]

God’s music

[@ollehedstrom3536]

Such wonderful music by the eternal master of music. Beautifully performed on the piano. Bach would certainly have loved a modern piano with its expressiveness of emotion.

[@kaidwig6132]

LOL

[@BodilessVoice]

Absolutely. Bach, according to his own writing, taught that the achievement of cantabile playing is the ultimate goal of a keyboard player. The modern piano makes that possible in many wonderful ways.

[@animofluteandpianoduo]

A truly poetic, inspiring performance. So difficult to get all the voices in and pianissimo! Beautiful!

[@corytoddmusic]

I'm having a hard time choosing words to praise this. Pure masterful beauty. The arrangement, the dynamics, the subtlety in this playing; this is a brilliant performance (obviously). More than that, it is thoroughly, sensually enjoyable! A sweet and divine nectar, distilled and drizzled over my auditory cortex. Thank you for this. :)

[@philipmulville8218]

I fully agree. You express it beautifully.

[@z-e-r-o-]

Oh, the live version is more meditative. I really love it. Thanks for sharing!

[@pianowingman]

Perfect Touch …😅❤🎉

[@vintageofme1974]

Now, this song is a fine piece of art work. I have never listened to it before. I just love it. It felt like an instant of peace and tranquillity.

[@zwinfr6331]

Un pied de nez à tous ces pianiste, célèbres ou non, qui nous servent depuis des décennies un Bach aseptisé, désacralisé, sans souffle, sans âme, aux règles rigides et normées (mais normées par qui grand Dieu...). Merci à Vikingur Ólafsson de nous rendre cette spiritualité et cette beauté

[@pierrecommarmot7076]

Thank you so much for the way you play this masterpiece: with your heart.

[@hansweichselbaum2534]

Remarkable that this tiny nation produced such a great musician!

[@banderaljohani3139]

Congratulations to you Vik, as your interpretation of this maestro composition is just fabulous. Bravo and stay safe

[@samueldasilva2097]

Oh, my Lord!! What a piece! What a performance! Thank you, my God, for letting me hear it".

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

This piece is so sublime it transcends human language. I don't know what to say about it only that I have to hear it so often, each time touching my very center of being. The tempos was perfect and played with such consideration it is perfect. Thank U Vikingur:)

[@herrlogan17]

Breathtaking!

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

Opening the door to eternity.

[@SteveLinGuitar]

Completely agree.

[@dmswan3172]

So beautifully said!

[@elisabethdufresne32]

Sublime.Merci Monsieur Olaffson,vous nous rapprochez des anges.Gratitude infinie pour votre divine interprétation.

[@1me0815]

Wenn es keinen Text zu diesem Choral geben würde, dann würde diese feine Melodie für sich schon eine Geschichte erzâhlen😊.....eine sehr sehr feine Sache diese Interpretation...BRAAVVOOOO!!

[@imanolamundarainayala9727]

Sublime.... Maravilloso.... Infinitas Gracias Gracias Gracias 🙏

[@prashantkumar137]

I say this after much thought and deliberation. He has become my all-time favourite, numero uno pianist.

[@rayoflight62]

Bravo Maestro Vikingur! You are a gift to Mankind...

[@CHAN-wt2yi]

So inspired and beautiful - additionally there is a depth to the sound recording that is extremely pleasing

[@MichaelCWBell]

??? what? I was convinced there was a ppp strings backing at first listening.. This shows incredible musicianship in the tonal richness but also in the arrangement of bringing forward the singer’s line. It also demonstrates the versatility of Bach’s music. His essential qualities are not dependent on performing conventions. A true musician is able to do what they like with it and still glean such moving effect. Absolutely beautiful.

[@lydievirolle3301]

Tu sais la petite robe noire que tout le monde a et que personne ne remarque .. Le Bach de tous les jours quoi . .jusqu'à ce qu'une reine de beauté la porte .Wow une découverte !👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@lroa6913]

Bach es el mas grande músico de la historia sin duda. Pero también es el maestro mas grande para manejar la emociones.

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

When I entrust myself to Bach and to Vikingur’s masterful hands I know I will land on my feet way above where I started!

[@philipmulville8218]

Impossibly beautiful.

[@jeanjacquesdelclos5406]

Que d émotion dans cette interprétation ! On repense à Glen Gould qui voulait ce tempo

[@winstonwolfe2537]

Listening to Bach is witnessing a glimpse of eternity.

[@Ales1001]

I love hearing the new and the old DG albums on youtube music. Thanks for the high quality production.

[@donald-ericblanchette6603]

It is absolutely perfect, I am very moved,he is a great musician! Many thanks to give us access to this marvelous pianist

[@a124947]

Thanks for this transcription of one of my favorite Bach compositions. Well done.

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Vielen Dank! Ich habe keine Wörter, um mein Freude davon zu äussern. (Meine Muttersprache ist Englisch). Trotzdem muss ich sagen, was für eine sinnvolle Aufführung dieser grossigartige Kantata! Mir gefällt alles, was er zu diesem Stück gebracht hat. Ausgezeichnet!

[@katalinszucs307]

Fantastic! Almost mesmerizing..We are very lucky to listend Vikingur Olafsson here in my town at Chamber Music International Festival some years ago..

[@miguswede-2557]

Bach would be pleased👏

[@vivelesurf]

This is amazing.

[@treewalker1070]

Vikingur gives such original and revelatory interpretations of everything he plays, and his interpretation of this piece is no exception. The title translates as "Stand Firm Against Sin" and I am used to the performance by countertenor Andreas Scholl, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe, who really make it mean "stand firm against sin." There couldn't be a better example of how different two performances of a piece can be, even with every note the same. If you listen to Scholl's rendition of the original, it will help to appreciate Vikingur's uniqueness all the more.

[@davidr7819]

Me too! Couldn’t agree more ❤

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

Simply Wondrous!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Isn´t it always time for a new approach on Bach? If this is somewhat "romantic" , as many says, well then I think Bach can stand it, as well as he has stood all different interpretations during centuries. His music can easiely stand all kinds of interpretations. There will always be a lot of Bach left. And as I like this, I also thing this is a very nice way to play Bach. Thank you, Vikingur!

[@unclvinny]

Some nice commenter here on YT wrote out this transcription and shared it here, so I was able to learn the first page or so. It was a stretch for my poor skills! This is one of my favorite Vikingur pieces, and that's saying a lot.

[@erichodge567]

His ability to bring out the inner voices in this music is otherworldly. There is very little art that merits the adjective "sublime", but hey, you just heard some.

[@baerkooner553]

Absolutely beautiful

[@anaconrad9423]

Hermosa versión. Muy místico!. Gracias ❤

[@giladwaksman1496]

Beyond words.

[@grahamnancledra7036]

I am a Bach purist, if ever a purist of Bach can ever be defined accurately. 😀 However I am very prepared to list to transcriptions, be it the full blown orchestral transcriptions of Stowkovski, Elgar or Rhespighi or the full blown orchestral versions with 102 Players and a Choir of 200 plus of the likes of some conductors. I like my Bach as we think in today's world, as he would have heard his music performed. We must remember also that Bach transcribed other composers music. Vivaldi a prime example. At the start of this recording I thought "My God it's so slow!" . Having listened a couple of more times, I like it. It has clarity and tenderness and indeed love. I would however, like to hear this at a faster tempo sometime. Credence should be given to the young Icelandic transcriber and performer. It does my heart wonders that young performers can listen to Bach and make a well intentioned effort to rework his music. Greetings to you all from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

[@SilverKnobsHMDT]

I'm not a fan of transcriptions. But this is a wonderful exception. My beloved cantata... thank you so much

[@giladwaksman1496]

Absolutely perfect.

[@bfg37]

Bach as the Fifth Evangelist.

[@tomsport4537]

Well, that‘s probably true

[@m0cker184]

Fitting.

[@rogercote8578]

Beautiful... Bravo!!

[@joao-geraldodamasceno1581]

C'est sublime!!!

[@ketcketc1961]

As always, one word - sublime Love your Bach x

[@marcosibona2077]

I listen to it and listen to it again and again...

[@romanticscot]

utterly sublime

[@kevinkazakevich5766]

I compared this to the full orchestra and tenor solo on other videos. Vikingur Olafsson has created something totally new from the same music making the piano play multiple "solo" lines magically emerging then disappearing. It is like the style of Rachmaninoff or a Chopin nocturne with very long melodic phrases. Who said Bach was not romantic?

[@normangensler7380]

I'm guessing it's easier to understand this piano work if the full ensemble has been heard before!

[@marrrcelo]

Wow... thats beautiful

[@prototropo]

The word "purity" captures for me Vikingur's utter confidence in his occupations of Bach's brilliant art, an art that was nearly unapproachable to many performers and ensembles of the previous 1970 - 2000 "Ormandy" generation of Romantically scaled interpreters. Ever since the authentic score and instrument, "historically informed," movement sprang up in Cambridge & Berkeley from the 1980s forward, the Ormandy calories have been trimmed off by an ever-fresh harmonic and astringent contrapuntal discipline to honor Bach's genius, and this is heard today on world stages everywhere. If anything, Vikingur's precision tempi and molecular key tension veer toward the idiosyncratic or even older, precious Gouldian attack. But whatever--Vikingur's still entrancing.

[@janetsmith2600]

You allow it to breathe and undulate. Thank you!

[@sinenom6432]

Utterly sublime.

[@andreahm7554]

Incredible💙💙💙