Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Matthew Halls
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Linn
Release: 2010
Size: 1.73 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Sarabande con Partite in C minor BWV 990
01. Sarabanda – Theme
02. Partita One
03. Partita Two
04. Partita Three
05. Partita Four
06. Partita Five
07. Partita Six
08. Partita Seven
09. Partita Eight
10. Partita Nine
11. Partita Ten
12. Partita Eleven
13. Partita Twelve: Allemanda
14. Partita Thirteen: Courante
15. Partita Fourteen: Aria Variata
16. Partita Ultima: Giguetta
The Goldberg Variations in G Major BWV 988
Fourth Part of the Clavierübung
17. Aria
18. Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
19. Variatio 2. a 1 Clav.
20. Variatio 3. Canone all’Unisuono. a 1 Clav.
21. Variatio 4. a 1 Clav.
22. Variatio 5. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
23. Variatio 6. Canone alla Secunda.a 1 Clav.
24. Variatio 7. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav. Al tempo di Giga
25. Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
26. Variatio 9. Canone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
27. Variatio 10. Fugetta. a 1 Clav.
28. Variatio 11. a 2 Clav.
29. Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta. a 1 Clav.
30. Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
31. Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
32. Variatio 15. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.
CD 02
The Goldberg Variations in G Major BWV 988
33 Variatio 16. Ouverture. a 1 Clav.
34 Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
35 Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav.
36 Variatio 19. a 1 Clav.
37 Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
38 Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima. a 1 Clav.
39 Variatio 22. a 1 Clav.
40 Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
41 Variatio 24. Canone all’Ottava. a 1 Clav.
42 Variatio 25. a 2 Clav.
43 Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
44 Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
45 Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
46 Variatio 29. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
47 Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.
48 Aria
Aria Varied in the Italian Manner in A minor BWV 989
49 Thema
50 Var. 1. Largo
51 Var. 2.
52 Var. 3.
53 Var. 4. Allegro
54 Var. 5. Un poco allegro
55 Var. 6. Andante
56 Var. 7. Un poco allegro
57 Var. 8. Allegro
58 Var. 9.
59 Var. 10.
Recorded 4th–6th June 2007
St Silas, Kentish Town, London
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations features Bach’s popular masterpiece for keyboard, plus Sarabanda con Partite and Aria Variata, performed by Matthew Halls, one of the brightest talents of the UK early music scene.
Matthew Halls has rapidly established himself as a greatly sought-after keyboard player. His energetic and elegant performances are critically acclaimed: “his inventive and ebullient playing is a delight” (Daily Telegraph). He has gained the reputation as an exciting and innovative keyboard player and conductor through his work with several esteemed ensembles including Retrospect Ensemble for whom he is Artistic Director.
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations is Matthew Halls’ debut solo release on Linn and the second in the much-anticipated Retrospect series. The Goldberg Variations is a work that continues to astound and fascinate both musicians and listeners alike. Considered to be one of the most important examples of the variation form, the artistry and technique the Goldberg Variations demand is met with virtuosic skill and innate musical understanding by Halls.
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations presents, in addition to the Goldbergs, two earlier works: Sarabande con Partite and Aria Variata. Halls comments: “I had always wanted to record the Goldbergs alongside two other great variation sets that I enjoy playing in order to show Bach’s extraordinary ability to vary a theme seemingly ad infinitum. The other two works are earlier and therefore show the extent to which Bach had become the true master of this composition technique by the time he came to compose the Goldbergs.”
The comprehensive booklet notes offer the reader a unique insight into the performer’s perspective discussing each variation and the demands of performing them.