- Event: Goldberg Variations – Roman Rabinovich, piano
- Date: Sunday, 18 May 2025
- Time: 19:30 BST
- Venue: Wigmore Hall, London
- Access: Free live stream
- Streaming from Wigmore Hall
Programme:
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (1741)
✨ About the performance
Composed in 1741, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations have become one of the most revered works in the keyboard repertoire. Long associated with the charming (if possibly apocryphal) story of Count Keyserlingk and his harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, the work’s nickname has endured, even if historical accuracy remains debated.
What is certain, however, is the extraordinary structure and scope of the composition: an aria of delicate elegance followed by 30 variations — every third a canon — concluding with a return of the original theme. Bach’s subtle transformation of a single bass line into a kaleidoscope of styles, textures, and moods remains unparalleled in Western music. Its final variation, a humorous quodlibet, interweaves popular melodies of the time, hinting at the composer’s wit and the familial traditions behind the music.
🔍 Overview: Roman Rabinovich
Roman Rabinovich is an award-winning pianist known for his expressive depth, inventive programming, and distinctive interpretations. Described by The New York Times as a musician of “uncommon sensitivity and feeling,” he won the 12th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition and has since performed at major venues across Europe and North America, including Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Wigmore Hall.
Also a composer and visual artist, Rabinovich brings a multidimensional perspective to his performances. He has worked with leading orchestras and conductors, and is celebrated for his interpretations of composers from Bach to Lutosławski. His performances of Haydn, in particular, have garnered wide acclaim, with full sonata cycles presented in the UK, US, and Europe.
In addition to his solo work, Rabinovich is co-director of ChamberFest Cleveland and ChamberFest West, curating programs that emphasize connection and conversation through music.
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