Ólafsson and Bach, Co-Creators

Published January 25, 2026 at 6:00 AM EST

On The Bach Hour, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson brings a spirit of collaborative creation to the composer's Aria and Variations in the Italian Manner, and Christoph Spering leads the Cantata No. 14.

On the program:

Chorale Prelude on Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 - Víkingur Ólafsson, piano

Cantata BWV 14 Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit (translation) - Lydia Teuscher, soprano; Daniel Johannsen, tenor; Daniel Ochoa, bass; Chorus Musicis Cologne and Das Neue Orchester, Christoph Spering, conductor

Aria variata (alla maniera Italiana), BWV 989 - Víkingur Ólafsson, piano

Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat, BWV 1051 - Apollo's Fire, Jeanette Sorrell, director