Credits:

Bach (1685-1750)

Description:

Jean Rondeau considers the "Goltberg Variations" to be "an ode to silence," spelled out in a performance time of approximately 108 minutes. In 2012, at the tender age of 21, he won the first prize in the harpsichord category of the Bruges International Competition for Ancient Music, and in 2015 he signed an exclusive contract with the Erato label, where he has released six albums, all of which have received international acclaim. With a passion and curiosity for not only baroque music, but also classical and jazz, Rondeau weaves in a bit of philosophy, psychology, and teaching methods, always seeking musical relationships between diverse cultures, art forms, and disciplines. 2021 will see the release of the fully-fledged " Bach: Golberg Variations"! Considered one of Bach's greatest works, it features an aria from the theme, 30 variations, and the return of the first aria at the end. Numerous artists have performed it, and many masterpieces have been produced. Jean Rondeau gave a wonderful performance on his first visit to Japan in 2017, and he gave another look at it in 2018 on the Dutch Bach Society's YouTube channel.Even with all the repetitions, this recording from Erato is the longest performance of the many recordings to date, with a playing time of 108 minutes (2 CDs). Rondeau's instrument of choice was a 2006 German model, which he says "gives this instrument a delicacy and fragility, but also an animal quality, adaptability, and shape. The score used in this project was also carefully selected and printed in the 1740s, and was discovered in 1974 and is in the collection of the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris. It contains markings and corrections made by Bach himself. All of Bach is in this Goltberg Variations. All the music is there. By delving into this valuable source of musicology, I was able to create what I felt was the most authentic selection." Rondeau said. The music is not played the same way at each moment, and time passes while Rondeau adds beautifully calculated ornamental sounds that are typical of Rondeau... The silence and flow of this performance is like a repeating wave. Warner Music Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Goldberg Variations~Aria
2.Goldberg Variations~Variatio I a 1 clav.
3.Goldberg Variations~Variatio II a 1 clav.
4.Goldberg Variations~Variatio III Canone all'unisono a 1 clav.
5.Goldberg Variations~Variatio IV a 1 clav.
6.Goldberg Variations~Variatio V a 1 ovvero 2 clav.
7.Goldberg Variations~Variatio VI Canone alla seconda a 1 clav.
8.Goldberg Variations~Variatio VII a 1 ovvero 2 clav., "Al tempo di Giga"
9.Goldberg Variations~Variatio VIII a 2 clav.
10.Goldberg Variations~Variatio IX Canone alla terza a 1 clav.
11.Goldberg Variations~Variatio X Fughetta a 1 clav.
12.Goldberg Variations~Variatio Xl a 2 clav.
13.Goldberg Variations~Variatio XII Canone alla quarta a 1 clav.
14.Goldberg Variations~Variatio XIII a 2 clav.
15.Goldberg Variations~Variatio XIV a 2 clav.
16.Goldberg Variations~Variatio XV Canone alla quinta a 1 clav., Andante