Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (Arr. Garcia & Morinière for Two Guitars)

Two guitars created from the wood of a single tree supplied the fine material for which Thibaut Garcia and Antoine Morinière fashioned their arrangement of the Goldberg Variations. The duo’s absorbing interpretation of this mighty keyboard composition makes Johann Sebastian Bach’s intricate counterpoint sing, not least as the incisive edge given to each plucked string is offset with beguiling tonal warmth and richness. While their technical wizardry is often jaw-droppingly smart, especially so in Variations XIV, XX and XXVI, it never detracts from the deep musicality that runs throughout this recording. Garcia and Morinière breathe and think as one, sharing a telepathic rapport and spiritual communion that finds heartfelt expression in the rhythmic freedom they bring to Variation XXV and the ineffably beautiful “Aria” that opens and closes the Goldbergs.