Jeremy Denk on Bach's Goldberg Variations BWV 988

[Thropplenoggin]

I thought these might be of interest to Bach lovers. I found his insights fascinating. Why can't R3 put out programmes like this?

i. Caveat HIP-lover: he is playing a modern piano.
ii. Caveat sartorialist: he appears to be wearing M&S pyjama trousers in the first, third and fourth videos.

Has anyone bought his new disc of them?

On the Aria:

On Variations 2, 17, 26:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbmSTQs-QGU&list=PL8096931E26C14C6E

On Variation 15:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lprNLlPI1FU&list=PL8096931E26C14C6E

On Variation 18 and 25:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUbfaAShLg&list=PL8096931E26C14C6E

[amateur51]

I agree it's fascinating Throppers.

Mr Denk's recording was chosen by David Owen Norris when he surveyed the available versions of Beethoven piano sonata no 31 for BaL recently.

[Padraig]

I thought these might be of interest to Bach lovers.

Great post. Much appreciated.

[Mattbod]

Thanks I enjoyed this. Although I am a big fan of early music played on traditional instrument, I am also not averse to hearing and playing Bach on the piano. The music of Bach transcends the medium in my opinion and each instrument gives the music its own character. I have Kevin Bowyer playing Bach on the Edwardian Harrison & Harrison Organ in St Mary Redcliffe Bristol and it is surprising how different a character the music takes on when played in a romantic style on that type of organ. Of course the purists would go mad :)

[teamsaint]

have to say that the CD/DVD looks an absolutely cracking set, very very tempted.
In fact, Secret Santas, its on my wish list.

[Nick Armstrong]

have to say that the CD/DVD looks an absolutely cracking set, very very tempted.
In fact, Secret Santas, its on my wish list.

only just saw this, having posted on the other thread....

[richardfinegold]

Denk is a performer that I've heard in concert a couple of times and been very impressed with, but somehow I haven't acquired any of his recordings. I particularly remember an excellent Beethoven 3rd Concerto with MTT conducting. His French recital disc with Joshua Bell received a lot of radio time here (they are both Indiana University alums, about a four hour drive from here) and I have also heard some recitals with him and Janos Starker (who taught at IU) that were
never released commercially.
NPR is the closest thing that we have to the BBC but not every NPR station will carry the same content, as the Chicago station carries none of the Classical Music
content but does carry the Jazz Programs. Internet Radio has made this content more uniformly available.

[Thropplenoggin]

Denk is a performer that I've heard in concert a couple of times and been very impressed with, but somehow I haven't acquired any of his recordings. I particularly remember an excellent Beethoven 3rd Concerto with MTT conducting. His French recital disc with Joshua Bell received a lot of radio time here (they are both Indiana University alums, about a four hour drive from here) and I have also heard some recitals with him and Janos Starker (who taught at IU) that were
never released commercially.
NPR is the closest thing that we have to the BBC but not every NPR station will carry the same content, as the Chicago station carries none of the Classical Music
content but does carry the Jazz Programs. Internet Radio has made this content more uniformly available.

I wish the BBC employed such talented and eloquent musicians to give accessible musical analysis the way Denk does for NPR.

[amateur51]

I wish the BBC employed such talented and eloquent musicians to give accessible musical analysis the way Denk does for NPR.

I'm certain that David Owen Norris could do a similarly stimulating and accessible analysis, given half the chance.

[Thropplenoggin]

I'm certain that David Owen Norris could do a similarly stimulating and accessible analysis, given half the chance.

Agreed. We got an inkling of this yesterday, with the two gentleman discussing the GVs and Diabelli Variations, only with Andrew McGregor getting in the way of a rather decent two-way conversation.

[amateur51]

Agreed. We got an inkling of this yesterday, with the two gentleman discussing the GVs and Diabelli Variations, only with Andrew McGregor getting in the way of a rather decent two-way conversation.

It was interesting to note how they coped with him, I thought. RV seemed to speak more & more slowly hoping to occupy the time, whereas GN just ploughed on full-ahead both like an ice-breaker

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

more like full ahead all ams. don't forget these modern ice breakers have thrusters, screws and variable pitch thingies to make way and hold station .... truly formidable kit

[amateur51]

more like full ahead all ams. don't forget these modern ice breakers have thrusters, screws and variable pitch thingies to make way and hold station .... truly formidable kit

Blimey Calum, I defer to your specialist knowledge - I'm more of a Navy Lark-kinda guy

Oh lummee

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

left hand down a bit eh

[Bryn]

Watched/listened to the DVD last evening. Very illuminating. When it came to the last item, "Beethoven and the Goldberg Variations", I was expecting some discussion of the Diabelli's, but Denk concentrated almost exclusively on the variations in the final three sonatas, especially Op. 109 and 111. I do hope Denk takes the Diabellis into the recording studio before too long.