An exciting next generation of pianists is stepping into the spotlight. Blending classical precision with daring, contemporary flair, they are pushing away the boundaries of tradition and creating new dynamic soundscapes.
Their fearless and creative approach is rewriting the rules, infusing the old classics with a modern energy that captivates and inspires.
Next-Gen Pianists are defining the Sounds of Tomorrow, so let’s sample 10 fresh takes on Bach’s music by the hottest pianists on stage of today.
Víkingur Ólafsson
Víkingur Ólafsson Plays Bach’s Widerstehe doch der Sünde (Just resist sin) BWV 54
He has been dubbed the “new superstar of classical piano,” and he has some very strong ideas about Bach. Víkingur Ólafsson hails from Iceland, and he has been focusing on understanding Bach’s music by balancing freedom with discipline.
Finding the right balance between rubato and strict rhythm, Ólafsson tries to play Bach in a three-dimensional way. He gives life to polyphony, like a theatre director controlling three or four characters at the same time.
In these theatrical performances of Bach, multiple voices or characters are controlled simultaneously, ensuring that each one remains vibrant, even if they play completely different roles.
Ólafsson is fascinated by transcriptions, reflecting the balance between preserving the intent of the original and exploring the new dimensions of sound that the piano can offer. For him, it is an act of reinterpretation, when the pianist becomes a mediator between the composer and the audience.
Igor Levit
Igor Levit Plays Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825 “Praeludium”
The Russian-German pianist Igor Levit is considered one of the best pianists of the century. Known for his profound musicality, technical mastery, and intellectual depth, he frequently blends classical repertoire with contemporary works.
Acclaimed for his powerful performances and commitment to social and political activism, Levit is one of the most influential pianists of his generation.
His Bach interpretations are deeply admired for their intellectual approach, emotional depth, and the clarity of his phrasing. He certainly brings a unique blend of precision and lyrical sensitivity to the music of Bach.
Levit infuses the music with a sense of both timelessness and personal expression. He is very keen on structural transparency, and he allows the music to unfold completely naturally. Always sensitive and very precise, Levit manages to reveal the spiritual heart of Bach’s music.
Khatia Buniatishvili
Khatia Buniatishvili Plays Bach/Marcello: Concerto in D minor, BWV 974 “Adagio”
The captivating Georgian/French pianist Khatia Buniatishvili has earned global recognition for her passionate and dynamic performances. With her dazzling technical skills and emotional depth, she brings a rare intensity and individuality to every piece she plays, making her a truly magnetic presence on the concert stage.
For Buniatishvili, music is deeply personal and driven by emotion and intimacy. She embraces complexity and paradoxes while championing the freedom to reinterpret each musical work regardless of traditional models.
She certainly brings a profound emotional depth to Bach’s compositions. Her performances convey a spectrum of emotions, from serene to intense, reflecting the spiritual complexities in Bach’s music.
Her use of rubato, those slight variations in tempo for expressive purposes, adds a modern and personal touch to her Bach performances. Buniatishvili brings a romantic sensibility to the music, specifically in her choice of phrasing, pedalling, and overall impression.
Daniil Trifonov
Daniil Trifonov Plays Bach’s Art of the Fugue, Contrapuntctus 14, BWV 1080
Daniil Trifonov really doesn’t need much of an introduction. His performances are characterised by an unparalleled blend of virtuosity, emotional depth, and interpretive creativity.
Hailed as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, Trifonov also brings his extraordinary technical prowess and profound musical insights to the music of Bach.
He approaches Bach with a deep understanding of counterpoint, delivering performances that highlight the intricate polyphony while also infusing each piece with a personal, lyrical touch. In his playing, he often reveals new facets of these well-known works through his nuanced phrasing and dynamic control.
Bach did not finish “The Art of Fugue,” but Trifonov did! And it’s not merely filling in the gaps but a reflection of Bach’s intellectual depth and emotional range. He adds a wonderful layer of contemporary insight into Bach’s unfinished masterpieces.
Kit Armstrong
Kit Armstrong Plays Bach’s Prelude and Fugue BWV 894
The American-born former child prodigy Kit Armstrong is celebrated for his extraordinary technical skills and intellectual depth in both performance and composition. Blending classical virtuosity with modern insights, he is recognised as one of the most innovative and thought-provoking musicians of his generation.
His performances of Bach’s music are distinguished by their intellectual clarity, technical precision, and an insightful blend of historical performance practice with modern interpretation.
Armstrong always employs meticulous articulation that respects Bach’s intent for clear voicing in polyphonic music. However, he adds many modern touches to his phrasing and uses slight rhythmic variations to highlight musical phrases.
Armstrong is not afraid to explore Bach’s music with modern sensibility, as he puts emphasis on certain voices in a fugue or brings out the emotional or philosophical implications of the music. To be sure, his Bach performances strongly resonate with today’s listeners.
Beatrice Rana
Beatrice Rana Plays Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 “Aria”
Italian pianist Beatrice Rana is one of the most promising young talents in classical music.
Her performances are marked by a rare combination of precision and emotional depth. Her interpretations are always bold and lyrical, blending refreshing originality with a deep respect for tradition.
She brings a profound emotional depth to the music of Bach. She has the ability to convey the emotional narrative of a piece, navigating Bach’s intricate counterpoint and harmony to offer her unique emotional insights.
Rana always manages to infuse Bach with a soulful depth that transcends its intellectual rigour, always allowing the music to breathe naturally.
Her phrasing is sensitive and expressive, never rushed, giving her performance of the “Goldberg Variations” a sense of weight and meaning that enhances the emotional richness. Her performance is nothing short of mesmerising.
Benjamin Grosvenor
Benjamin Grosvenor Plays Bach’s Partita No. 4, BWV 828
Benjamin Grosvenor is an internationally acclaimed British classical pianist celebrated for his interpretations that blend technical brilliance with profound musical expression. His technical command and striking musicality have established him as one of the leading pianists of his generation.
His Bach interpretations are well-received for their musicality, and he certainly makes the music resonate with contemporary audiences.
Grosvenor has not extensively recorded the music of Bach, but he frequently chooses to include his music in live performances. There is a certain spontaneity and engagement in his playing that highlights a clear narrative.
I particularly like his way of finding and conveying the emotional aspects of Bach’s compositions. He often reveals a lyrical quality, illuminating Bach’s music with both reverence and innovation.
Alice Sara Ott
Alice Sara Ott Plays Bach’s Prelude in C Major, BWV 846
A long-standing exclusive artist with Deutsche Grammophon, Alice Sara Ott has been captivating audiences worldwide with her expressive performances and technical prowess.
Ott brings profound emotional intensity to her performances, often conveying the narrative and emotional landscape of the music with great sensitivity. She is able to produce a wide palette of colours, giving her playing a distinctive sound.
Far removed from historical performance practice, her interpretations of Bach offer a fresh and expressive take on Bach’s music. Her phrasing is always lyrical, emphasising the melodic contours and finding the emotional content of the work.
As you can see and hear in the video, Ott places Bach’s music in dialogue with contemporary practices. This demonstrates her belief in the universality and relevance of the music across different musical eras. One thing is for sure: her Bach interpretations reflect a highly personal journey.
Jan Lisiecki
Jan Lisiecki Plays Bach/Busoni’s “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” (Awake, calls the voice)
Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki has earned widespread acclaim for his refined performances. His interpretations are known for a blend of youthful exuberance and profound musical insight.
His performances of Bach are full of clarity, sensitivity, and the ability to bring out the inner voices of a composition. His style features a clear and lyrical tone, as he pays meticulous attention to phrasing and a nuanced approach to dynamics.
Lisiecki’s Bach interpretations combine youthful energy with a very mature understanding of the music. He brings a refined and lyrical quality to Bach’s intricate counterpoint, even in technically demanding transcriptions.
In Lisiecki’s approach, the complexity of the music shines through while also maintaining a sense of fluidity and grace. His attention to detail and subtle rubato add a personal touch, making his Bach performances deeply engaging and accessible to a wider audience.
Lucas Debargue
Lucas Debargue is described as a performer of fierce integrity and dazzling communicative power. I guess it shows that he draws inspiration for his playing from literature, painting, cinema, and jazz.
Debargue approaches music like a scientist when being the fastest is not always the best. He describes his interpretations like the process of translating a book. As such, he has one single goal, and that is to make the music as clear as possible.
In his Bach interpretations, Debargue sounds his unique blend of technical mastery and philosophical depth. He makes the architectural aspects clear yet brings an unconventional and personal touch to Bach’s music. He explores Bach from a contemporary viewpoint, prioritising the evolution of the music beyond the composer’s original intentions.
I trust you enjoyed this little episode on next-gen pianists defining the sounds of the future. Hope you can join me for the upcoming episode on the music of Chopin.
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