Ragna Schirmer - Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (2009)

• Title: Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
  
• Year Of Release: 2009
  
• Label: Berlin Classics
  
• Genre: Classical Piano
  
• Quality: flac lossless (tracks)
  
• Total Time: 01:27:08
  
• Total Size: 290 mb
  
• WebSite: Album Preview
  

Tracklist

CD1
01. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria
02. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1
03. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 2
04. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3 - Canone All'unisono
05. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 4
06. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5
07. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6 - Canone alla seconda
08. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7
09. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8
10. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 9 - Canone alla terzeta
11. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 10 - Fughetta
12. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11
13. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 12 - Canone alla quarta
14. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13
15. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 14
16. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation - Canone alla quinta. Andante

CD2
01. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 16 - Ouverture
02. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 17
03. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18 - Canone alla Sesta
04. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 19
05. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 20
06. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21 - Canone alla Settima
07. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 22 - Alla breve
08. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23
09. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24 - Canone All'ottava
10. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25
11. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26
12. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27 - Canone alla nona
13. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 28
14. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 29
15. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30 - Quodlibet
16. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria da capo

An air of leisure, if not outright luxury, pervades pianist Ragna Schirmer's 1999 recording of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations. From the deluxe double-disc packaging - many Goldberg recordings make do with only one CD -- to the taking of all repeats, this is a set for dedicated listeners who have ample time to appreciate the subtleties of Bach's art of variation, and the patience to devote nearly 87 minutes to hearing this work straight through. It would be unfair to suggest that Schirmer plays the variations too slowly, or that the performance is in any way sluggish or tedious because she takes her time. Indeed, she is quite capable of imparting a feeling of virtuosity and brilliance as she skillfully works her way through the embellishments and the trickier passages of Bach's elaborate counterpoint, even though her tempo is never rushed for the sake of showing off. Instead, Schirmer maintains a controlled beat that is steady and forward-moving enough to keep the notes together, yet paced as if there is no need to hurry past all the beautiful nuances and delicate expressions that are found everywhere in this work. One may be inclined to think that this is how the Goldberg Variations were meant to be played, as music of a "gentle and heartening character" to beguile the work's original commissioner, Count Keyserlingk, during his sleepless nights. Of course, Keyserlingk had the brilliant harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg to play these variations, so they very well might have been played at a fast clip. Even so, Schirmer's relaxed and even playing seems more appropriate for music that was intended for nocturnal reverie, and the consistency of her approach makes this a very relaxing and soothing rendition. Berlin Classics provides exceptional reproduction, so Schirmer's impeccable playing is clear and natural sounding throughout.

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