"I DON'T know much about classic music," Sandy Bates, Woody Allen's character in Stardust Memories noted. "For years I thought the Goldberg Variations were something Mr and Mrs Goldberg tried on their wedding night."
Music for Galway will be taking something of a cue from Woody Allen - or perhaps Mr and Mrs Goldberg - when it presents Bach's great work of 1741 in a variety of different versions, four times over one weekend. The festival, entitled Goldberg, will be live streamed from St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, from January 22 to 24.
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In a break from the usual approach to developing a festival theme, MfG artistic director, Finghin Collins [pictured above] has chosen to focues solely on one piece of work, rather than a range of works. The Goldberg Variations were originally written for harpsichord, but have since been transcribed for piano, guitars, synthesizer, string trio, and saxophone quartet, and MfG's approach for the upcoming festival reflects its adaptability and versatility.
The players, the performances
The festival opens on Friday January 22 at 8pm with a performance of the original Goldberg Variations by harpsichordist Malcolm Proud.
Pianist Xenia Pestova Bennett will perform Gold.Berg.Werk with her husband, Ed Bennett, on electronics (Saturday 23, 8pm ). In writing Gold.Berg.Werk, Austrian composer Karlheinz Essl created a 21st century response to Bach's work by altering the order of the variations and adding electronics.
Dmitry Sitkovetsky's iconic string trio arrangement of the Goldberg Variations, will be performed by violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky (a nephew of Dmitry Sitkovetsky ); Russian viola virtuoso Sergey Malov on viola; and British cellist Natalie Clein (Sunday 24, 3pm ).
The festival concludes with a screening of The Goldberg Variations - Glenn Gould Plays Bach (Sunday 24, 8pm ), Bruno Monsaingeon's film shot in New York in April and May 1981 and bringing viewers up close and personal with the late, exceptionally talented Canadian interpreter of Bach.
Tickets prices are €12 per concert; €8 for film documentary; or €40 for a festival ticket. See www.musicforgalway.ie Each show will feature a short introduction from one of the performers.
