Goldberg Variations
Legend has it that a student of Bach’s used to play the Variations to his friend, a former Russian ambassador to Saxony, who suffered from frequent bouts of insomnia. Despite its unwieldy title, there is no mistaking this body of work as one of the greatest pieces of music ever written.
Thomas Adès’ ‘Nightfalls’ will set the nocturnal scene before we present to you the Australian premiere of Canadian conductor Bernard Labadie’s string arrangement of Bach’s iconic keyboard work. A transformation of the original – which many of you will recognise – it offers audiences something fresh and inventive.
This is a Bach celebration that brings together the old and the new – in an utterly unique and illuminating way.
Reviews
“Labadie’s creation is credible, expressive and refined, and provides a fine vehicle for the ACO, as virtuosic flourishes and dialogues flit across sections”
– The Australian
“The main burden [of solos] fell to Tognetti, here in splendid form, his line a rich mine of phrase-shaping and supple dynamics.”
– The Age
“The collective virtuosity of the ACO was on display throughout, vividly interpreting Bach’s musical evocation of the diverse states of the human soul”
– Adelaide Advertiser
Program
STRAVINSKY - Three Pieces for String Quartet
THOMAS ADÈS (arr. strings) - Nightfalls from The Four Quarters
BACH (arr. Richard Tognetti) - Canons on a Goldberg Ground
BACH (arr. Bernard Labadie) - Goldberg Variations
Australian Premiere
Artists
Richard Tognetti - Director & Violin
Erin Helyard - Keyboards
