BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO FOR J.S. BACH’S GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
Víkingur Ólafsson has won the 2025 GRAMMY Award® for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for his recording of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (Deutsche Grammophon). The news was announced at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday 2 February.
Ólafsson’s recording of Bach’s masterpiece has now been streamed almost 100 million times, having been released in October 2023 as the pianist commenced a remarkable global tour of the work. The 90-date tour spanned six continents and reached over 120,000 people.
Víkingur Ólafsson comments,
“Last season I performed The Goldberg Variations almost one hundred times all over the world. I got to know myself through that process and I got to witness the unique power of Bach’s message on people of different cultures. It was a life-changing experience for which I will always be grateful. Winning a Grammy for my album of the Goldbergs is something very special which I can’t quite put into words. I am indebted to so many people; my incredible teams at Deutsche Grammophon and HarrisonParrott, my producer Christopher Tarnow, executive producer Christian Badzura, and – most importantly – my listeners who have given so much to me with their ongoing support and open ears.”