Bach - Aria from Goldberg Variations BWV 988 | Netherlands Bach Society

The famous Aria from the 'Goldberg Variations'. The legend surrounding the 'Goldberg Variations', performed here by Jean Rondeau for All of Bach, is such a nice one. Count Hermann Karl von Keyserlinck was having trouble sleeping and asked Bach for some pleasant music to pass the time, to be played by Keyserlinck’s harpsichord prodigy Johann Gottlieb Goldberg.

Jean Rondeau, harpsichordist
Harpsichord: Jonte Knif & Arno Pelto, 2004

[asherrubenstein]

I personally believe this to be one of the best recordings ever made of this monumental work, but to me, what really stands out is the way many of the right hand and left hand single notes which are written in as being played together are ever so slightly out of sync (or maybe a little more than that). This creates a deep sense of longing, like you're reaching for something you're not quite able to grasp - it's so close, yet you're being held back. It's like loss itself, what you maybe once held in the palm of your hand, and now has vanished. I feel I haven't worded this all too well, but - Mr. Rondeau - I congratulate you on this achievement.

[marcaurele]

Jean Rondeau a un talent fou ! Assister à un concert en "live" est un moment exceptionnel qu'on n'oublie pas de sitôt ! Avec ces variations Goldberg, il donne une interprétation brillante, maîtrisée et lumineuse ! Merci à ce grand claveciniste dans la lignée de Scott Ross qui apporte sa jeunesse et sa vision personnelle aux oeuvres qu'il aborde !

[theringedpianist]

Love so much his way of playing, the sound is alive.
Thank you maestro Rondeau for this present.

[ceciliaspicer]

Jean Rondeau, is the best! I remember when I went to his concert at the recital centre. And I actually got to meet him! 😊

[notaire]

Wunderschöne und lyrische Aufführung dieser perfekt komponierten Arie im gut phrasierten Tempo mit glänzendem doch anmutigem Klang des genialen Cembalos und mit sorgfältig kontrollierter Dynamik. Wahrlich tröstend in dieser schwierigen Zeit unter der Coronavirus-Krise!

[jlind]

Being obscessed by Bach’s Goldberg Variations, I’ve listened to so many fine musicians perform them on a wide variety of instruments. I even enjoyed just the bass performed solo on the bassoon. I try to avoid having a “favorite”. But, Damn, you’ve made that difficult Monsier Rondeau! Bach may be smiling blissfully. I know I am. Congratulations on your gift, Sir.

[Ignatiusthebuch]

This deserves 1000x more views. The best rendition I’ve ever heard!

[PamelaJean]

Thank you for the lovely story about Keyserlink and Goldberg. And for the brilliant videos you post.

[pascalechoblet]

Magnifique, brillant, envoûtant quel talent ! Merci

[wisjoh]

One of most sublime pieces of music
so beautifully performed !

[Nedderdy]

Excellent! ... and such a nice change to see the guy concentrating on the playing instead of the posing.

[alpa]

This is still the best rendition in my opinion…

[mariovalencia]

Dios mío que manera de tocar las Goldberg, si escuchas detenidamente y atento a cada nota, frase, adorno y contrapunto, te das cuenta de la perfección milagrosa de esta versión de Rondeau. Música intemporal.

[jimmycrackedcorn]

Transcendent. Finest arrangement I have heard. Truly beautiful. Thank you for your devotion to the art.

[stxvwqb]

Браво! Какое мастерство! На клавесине сделать так много динамики и насыщенного звука! Восхищаюсь мастерством музыканта и благодарю за все исполненные репризы, так вдохновенно и по разному

[ahmedema]

This, glen gould and the track used in bayonetta 3 are the best versions of the golden variation I’ve ever listened to

[stxvwqb]

Божественно звучит ! И дополняет звучание облик музыканта, все гармонично!...Какие красивые басы, бархат

[micaelabonetti]

Che meraviglia!
(E lo dice una fan sfegatata di Karl Richter, una che è pianista, per la quale le Goldberg al pianoforte sono il massimo del godimento: ma da quando ho scoperto questo fantastico cembalista, mi sono entusiasmata per il suo talento superlativo che abbatte tutte le barriere e le questioni di stile)
Bravissimo!!!

[LucienMarine]

The Goldberg Variations are a work for solo keyboard by the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Originally written for the harpsichord, the set of 30 variations is one of the most well-known and widely performed musical compositions in the world. Its feature piece, Aria, is widely recognized and its instantly recognizable melody makes it one of the Baroque era's most popular works. The Goldberg Variations can be broadly divided into four groups. The first group consists of the Aria and the 30 ensuing variations. The Aria itself is a moderately paced Baroque-style melody in three-eight meter, which is then repeated and slightly varied each time. The variations that follow each take on a different tempos and meters, ranging from fast and energetic fugues to slow and more contemplative works. Included among the variations are several canons and dances in the French style. The second, third, and fourth groups offer a succession of arias, either in the form of alternate versions of the original Aria or a number of other, unrelated works. The beauty and depth of Bach's variations has captivated and inspired audiences for centuries. First published in 1741, it is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may also have been the first performer of the work. The variations are at once sophisticated and challenging to play, but at the same time, incredibly enjoyable to listen to. Only a great master can offer us this joy if it's not Jean Rondeau. He probably doesn't know that he's made history. Good for him! *Lucien*

[josejuansuarezelizalde]

Este proyecto es increíble! Gran trabajo ♥️, lo escucharé tantas veces como pueda 🎉✨