Advertisement
Rethinking Bach: The Goldberg Variations for Solo violinJ.S. Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988
(Arrangement for Solo Violin by Jorge Jiménez)
The urban myth says that Johann Sebastian composed his GOLDBERG VARIATIONS to ease the nights of insomnia of one of his patrons: Count Keyserlingk. Still unsure whether this account is totally true or not, the hypnotic nature of the Goldberg Variations is a fact. Jimenez has arranged and recomposed this monumental work of art for unaccompanied violin.
The Goldberg Variations aren’t just any set of variations on a theme, they are variations by the 'God of Harmony', Johann Sebastian Bach. The complexity of the architecture of these pieces is such that just arranging them wasn't enough to suit the violin so Jorge has resized them.
Imagine trying to fit all the furniture of Versailles Palace into a beautiful, tiny one-bedroom attic in Rue Lafayette: one would have to choose the best and aim to keep the same feel of the big space in a tiny one.
Fortunately lots of compositions by Bach adapt brilliantly to any instrument, but these variations are extremely complex, even more complex in depth than the Kunst Der Fugue. Jiménez has rearranged, almost recomposed them, in the style that lots of popular works were arranged during this period, to fit the different needs of performers and audience.
This transcription of Bach's Goldberg Variations is the completion of a 2 year long project in which the piece has toured Poland (where Insomnia was featured as part of his Artist Residency at the Festiwal Bachowski Swidnica), Spain and the UK and culminating in the first-ever recording of the Goldbergs in this groundbreaking arrangement for solo violin.
“Sleep comes more easily than it returns.” ― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
Jorge Jiménez, is one of the most sought-after violinists of our time. He is known for his thorough and exciting approach to him, performing music in the style and instruments for which it was composed, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Jorge is the founder and director of Tercia Realidad, and is regularly invited to lead ensembles such as La Arpeggiata (France), Forma Antiqva (Spain), The Hanover Band (United Kingdom), La Risonanza (Italy), Capella Cracoviensis (Poland), amongst others
Jorge is also guest concertmaster of orchestras such as Orquesta Ciudad de Granada, Capella Cracoviensis, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Comunidad Valenciana, Orquesta del Principado de Asturias, Orquesta de la Vlaamse Opera, as well as a regular guest as musical director at Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London, having directed the musical part of works such as "The Secret Theater", premiering music by Alexander Balanescu and "Four Seasons" with music by Max Richter.
With his eclectic solo violin programs, Jorge has toured extensively throughout Australia, Europe, South America and Canada, performing in venues in Istanbul, Seville, Barcelona, Biecz, Swidnica, Krakow, London, Manchester, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Varazdin, Montreal, Melbourne, Wagga Wagga and Cochabamba.
In 2022 Jorge released his groundbreaking transcription of Bach's Goldberg Variations for the label Pan Classics, awarded the Gold Prize by the World Classical Music Awards 2023, which the critics described as:
“Jiménez plays with impressive definition and effortless technical finesse” The Strad Magazine
“Risky and original” La Lectura
“A totally mad project crowned by success” Scherzo
Jorge Plays on a 1680 Ruggieri Violin kindly loaned by Jumpstart Jr. Foundation - Sparey Collection.
Earlier Event: September 29
Bach, by Arrangement! Naomi Okuda (recorder) & Oliver John Ruthven (organ)
Later Event: November 24
The Valencia Baryton Project
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Ascension Church, 134 Timbercroft Lane, Plumstead, SE18 2SG, 134 Timbercroft Lane, London, SE18 2SG, United Kingdom,London, United Kingdom, Bexley
