J.S. Bach’s "Goldberg Variations,"
long considered the summit of all solo piano music, has a legendary
history, with pianists like the eccentric Canadian genius Glenn
Gould putting their own unmistakable stamp on it.
Now, it’s Simone Dinnerstein’s turn. On Nov. 28 at Carnegie Hall,
the Park Slope musician will perform Bach’s landmark keyboard
work – all 90 minutes of it!
"It’s always been one of my favorite pieces of music,"
said Dinnerstein, 33. "[It] encompasses so many different
sound worlds."
Dinnerstein will be performing the "Goldberg Variations"
with all of the repeats that Bach wrote into the score intact.
(By contrast, Gould’s celebrated 1982 recording clocks in at
less than an hour.)
"It’s very challenging both physically and emotionally,"
she admits. "You need a lot of endurance to get through
the piece, but the main challenge is to be able to focus for
that long without a break.
"The repeats give [the audience] the chance to hear the
music again – and you do want to hear it twice. This is music
that just needs to be heard."
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein performs Bach’s "Goldberg Variations"
at 7:30 pm on Nov. 28 at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall (West
57th Street at Seventh Avenue in Manhattan). For more information,
call (212) 247-7800.
