J.S. BACH’S GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
Dominic Daula, Department of Music and Musicology, Rhodes University
Thursday 23 January 7.30 pm COURSE FEES R175; Staff and students R150
VENUE Erin Hall, 8 Erin Road, Rondebosch
Bach’s ‘Aria with Diverse Variations’, BWV 988, known today as the Goldberg Variations, opens and closes with one of the most recognisable tunes in the keyboard repertory. But beyond that is a series of inventive, colourful and virtuosic variations designed as dances and canons, which showcase the performer’s facility, musical expression and command of contrapuntal playing. The work, which was originally written for a two-manual harpsichord, poses a challenge for performance on the piano, despite the longstanding performing tradition on the instrument. Join pianist and musicologist Dominic Daula, who will share insights on these practical matters as well as the theoretical underpinnings of the Goldberg Variations. Following a short lecture, he will give a complete performance of the work.
Recommended reading
Reuben, P. Handling Tovey’s Bach. Music & Letters 103, no. 3. August 2022. pp. 464–492.
Tovey, D.F. 1900. The Goldberg Variations: An Essay in Musical Analysis. London: Joseph Williams. Williams, P. 2001. Bach: The Goldberg Variations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/performance.aspx?itemid=1554781151