J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

2013

For a classical pianist or harpsichordist, The Goldberg Variations can simultaneously be a test of one's mettle and a prism through which one's own artistic personality can shine in ways few other Baroque works permit. American pianist Jeremy Denk has interpreted pieces by everyone from Brahms to Cowell while maintaining a distinct identity, and his approach to this late-period Bach masterwork is equally singular-sounding. While there are momentary echoes of everything from Glenn Gould's visceral take on The Variations to Daniel Barenboim's drama-infused reading, Denk ultimately opts for alternating between a thrilling, fleet-fingered finesse in the more physically demanding moments and an almost impressionistic liquidity in the reflective sections. What emerges by the end is a sonic portrait of a master musician game enough to follow his fancy but expert enough to know exactly where and how to apply his considerable strengths.

I. Aria

3:46

II. Variation 1 a 1 clavier

1:48

III. Variation 2 a 1 clavier

1:23

IV. Variation 3. Canone all'unisono a 1 clavier

2:09

V. Variation 4 a 1 clavier

1:08

VI. Variation 5 a 1 ovvero 2 claviere

1:19

VII. Variation 6. Canone alla seconda a 1 clavier

1:13

VIII. Variation 7 a 1 ovvero 2 claviere

1:42

IX. Variation 8 a 2 claviere

1:40

X. Variation 9. Canone alla terza a 1 clavier

1:48

XI. Variation 10. Fughetta a 1 clavier

1:29

XII. Variation 11 a 2 claviere

1:46

XIII. Variation 12. Canone alla quarta

2:21

XIV. Variation 13 a 2 claviere

5:05

XV. Variation 14 a 2 claviere

1:57

XVI. Variation 15. Canone alla quinta

4:06

XVII. Variation 16. Ouverture a 1 clavier

2:50

XVIII. Variation 17 a 2 claviere

1:51

XIX. Variation 18. Canone alla sesta a 1 clavier

1:25

XX. Variation 19 a 1 clavier

0:56

XXI. Variation 20 a 2 claviere

1:57

XXII. Variation 21. Canone alla settima

2:53

XXIII. Variation 22. Alla breve a 1 clavier

1:48

XXIV. Variation 23 a 2 claviere

2:04

XXV. Variation 24. Canone all'ottava a 1 clavier

2:16

XXVI. Variation 25 a 2 claviere

6:51

XXVII. Variation 26 a 2 claviere

1:51

XXVIII. Variation 27. Canone alla nona

1:48

XXIX. Variation 28 a 2 claviere

2:08

XXX. Variation 29 a 1 ovvero 2 claviere

1:45

XXXI. Variation 30. Quodlibet a 1 clavier

1:48

XXXII. Aria da capo

3:58

Johann Sebastian Bach

Composer
Jeremy Denk

Piano