Bach: Goldberg Variations - András Schiff (2017)

BACH - Die Goldberg-Variationen - BWV 988
András Schiff, piano
Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin
Recorded on Sun, 11 June 2017
*****************
0:05 Aria
3:48 Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
5:44 Variatio 2. a 1. Clav.
7:11 Variatio 3. Canone all Unisuono à 1 Clav.
9:24 Variatio 4. à 1 Clav.
10:31 Variatio 5. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
12:07 Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda a 1 Clav.
13:31 Variatio 7. à 1. ô vero 2 Clav. (al tempo di Giga)
15:08 Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
16:58 Variatio 9. Canone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
18:32 Variatio 10. Fugetta. a 1 Clav.
20:11 Variatio 11. a 2 Clav.
22:21 Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta.
24:28 Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
28:57 Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
31:01 Variatio 15. andante. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.
35:21 Variatio 16. a 1 Clav. Ouverture
38:02 Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
40:16 Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav.
41:43 Variatio 19. à 1 Clav.
43:06 Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
45:03 Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima.
47:13 Variatio 22. a 1 Clav. alla breve
49:21 Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
51:37 Variatio 24. Canone all Ottava a 1 Clav.
54:03 Variatio 25. a 2 Clav. („adagio“)
1:01:27 Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
1:03:44 Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
1:05:29 Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
1:08:33 Variatio 29. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
1:10:30 Variatio 30. a 1 Clav. Quodlibet.
1:11:58 Aria da Capo è Fine
Notes:
- Schiff preceded the recital by a lecture. You can watch it in full here.
• Video
- The video has been muted in Variation 15
- You can watch the full concert (free of charge) at
www.boulezsaal.de/en/online

[@emefcue]

You people realize how difficult it is to play all of these variations and repeats....in one sitting...with an audience...being recorded. Bravo

[@joerose6945]

Yes, we people do realise this.

[@Fuliginosus]

I've never tried to play a musical instrument, but I'm sure what you describe would be challenging even for me.

[@Girl-forever]

Yeah

[@AnnaStoller]

NOW Imagine Doing it without practice. Some crazy Dude has never Seen it before and can Play it Like that.

[@Canufindnow]

@@AnnaStollerimpossible. Tell me who and lemme tell you how he fools you

[@Mark-Zhark]

This piece saved my life and spirit during chemo, 2007. …And Bach and I are still playing, still clean and clear.❤

[@jonathanmorgan1793]

FAB

[@MattLeonardPrice1]

Bach. Nearly 300 years go by, and nothing, nothing comes close.

[@wesleyrosa3603]

He was just grooving man, don't be dramatic hahah

[@andradas9688]

usual youtube nonsensical comment...try F1, soccer, basketball...get the stats and find the number 1. Good luck.

[@CharlesM1992]

Beethoven gets close in a different way for me... but still Bach wins.

[@andradas9688]

@@CharlesM1992 bla bla bla bla...you guys know NOTHING about Bach or Beethoven. If you knew even a tiny bit about them, you would never make this type of comparison. STOP commenting on subjects you clearly have no clue about. Try NFL.

[@bucquoismusic]

Absolutely agree. Bach by far my favorite composer, a super genius. Just released my own interpretation of selected Bach GB Variations. Please have listen. 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iImod5-Ij86betU

[@SandWolf_]

0:05 Aria 3:48 Variatio 1. a 1 Clav. 5:44 Variatio 2. a 1. Clav. 7:11 Variatio 3. Canone all Unisuono à 1 Clav. 9:24 Variatio 4. à 1 Clav. 10:31 Variatio 5. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav. 12:07 Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda a 1 Clav. 13:31 Variatio 7. à 1. ô vero 2 Clav. (al tempo di Giga) 15:08 Variatio 8. a 2 Clav. 16:58 Variatio 9. Canone alla Terza. a 1 Clav. 18:32 Variatio 10. Fugetta. a 1 Clav. 20:11 Variatio 11. a 2 Clav. 22:21 Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta. 24:28 Variatio 13. a 2 Clav. 28:57 Variatio 14. a 2 Clav. 31:01 Variatio 15. andante. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav. (Muted) 35:21 Variatio 16. a 1 Clav. Ouverture 38:02 Variatio 17. a 2 Clav. 40:16 Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav. 41:43 Variatio 19. à 1 Clav. 43:06 Variatio 20. a 2 Clav. 45:03 Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima. 47:13 Variatio 22. a 1 Clav. alla breve 49:21 Variatio 23. a 2 Clav. 51:37 Variatio 24. Canone all Ottava a 1 Clav. 54:03 Variatio 25. a 2 Clav. („adagio“) 1:01:27 Variatio 26. a 2 Clav. 1:03:44 Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav. 1:05:29 Variatio 28. a 2 Clav. 1:08:33 Variatio 29. a 1 o vero 2 Clav. 1:10:30 Variatio 30. a 1 Clav. Quodlibet. 1:11:58 Aria da Capo è Fine Notes: - Schiff preceded the recital by a lecture. You can watch it in full here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmKWl3mBlLKSprM - The video has been muted in Variation 15

[@ilyamurom]

Thanks a lot. My pigeon friends come to my open window when I listen to Bach or Mozart. They stay there and look real «musik liebe habe» especially when sir Andras Schiff is playing.

[@arenavsore]

Is there an album with the audio recording of this event?

[@giovanninomatta4357]

@@arenavsore There's the album by him playing the Goldberg, two actually: a Decca 1982 and the ECM 2001 one, there's even a 1990 DVD. Not this one, as far as I know.

[@bertrandcamus3666]

Le génie de Bach retranscrit à la perfection !! Merci Monsieur Schiff!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@laurentdekens7797]

Le plus grand génie de la musique (Bach), sans lequel aucun autre génie musical ne serait apparu après lui. Héritier de la "Renaissance italienne"! Hommage à nos "ancêtres culturels" pour ce qu'ils nous ont appris, donné et enseigné: c'est une merveille de pré-humanisme. Merci ...

[@meisterw1]

Wer vor Bach geboren wurde, der hat schlicht und ergreifend das Beste der Menschheit verpasst.

[@jimsherman6262]

Genau

[@olavk7111]

My favorite pianist playing my favorite composer. Sublime, what a treat !

[@wesmlr]

love this performance. i always love schiff's delivery - letting bach speak for himself.

[@stephengardner763]

beautifully put

[@zurich5607]

For some reason, few pianists make the aria move like a dance like Sir Schiff does. It’s so refreshing

[@colorsofsound4782]

Epic! What really stood out to me in the first couple variations is 10:33 variation 5. Gould can play it the way he wants, because he is Gould, but when others try to follow in terms of tempo or phrasing, it does not come out well, because they did not think or understand or they tried too hard to do so, but Schiff makes it his own, and you can hear Bach through him. It is extremely powerful to hear the notes this naked and unassuming, Bach does not need anything remotely romantic or personal, because it is an offer to something greater, Schiff knows that and he also does not assume stupidity of his listeners.

[@blumousey]

I love the little tunes he picks out of the complexity

[@wesmlr]

top 50 yt comments ive ever read

[@marilumori64cinquedicembre12]

"you can hear Bach through him" Völlig einverstanden 👍

[@noeldacosta7621]

Mostly good but variation 8 is poorly done; sounds like a typist. I definitely prefer Gould

[@janevonmaltzahn2667]

Bach reincarnated as András Schiff so that our age would know how his music was supposed to be played.

[@user-bj9eh8nu9k]

Шикарно , я слышу прозрачность вечности.Я думала лучше Гульда не найду, а тут просто другая грань алмаза, тоже очень красивая и достойная.

[@michaelhanrahanmoore1622]

I love to hear him play schubert aswell and his playing of bach is always so lyrical without being too romantic. I love the very slight rubato in places just to give it that humanity. There's something so human about his playing. Never seems to blast you with sound but invites you to join him in his world. He described schubert in those terms and I would describe him in the same warm light. I'll never forget the documentary he did on schubert which I watched and watched he was such a joy to hear speak aswell as play. Also I agree with virtually everything he said. A very insightful man.

[@nornje]

Andras Schiff is my most favoured interpret. Smart, sensitive and with an astounding technique. Thanks for this amazing performance!

[@fpcoleman57]

Great! Andràs Schiff is one of the best. No sound on Variation 15!!!!!!!

[@josephhapp9]

That silence on var 15 is explained in the side notes.

[@therightmusic7639]

That was a brilliant interpretation of this monumental work by a true genius, in all sense of the word (The Master of masters)... Maestro Schiff is, without a doubt, an unavoidable reference when it comes to Bach's music. He really understands what to say with every single note the composer wrote. The "black pearl" was of such dramatic and profound lyrism: such an acute musical intuition... A modern piano definitely gives this masterpiece the musical and interpretative level it deserves. On this instrument, as opposed to the instrument it was composed for (a two-manual harpsichord), and in Maestro Shiff's hands Bach's music really comes alive, and every single voice has the possibility to fully express the purpose it was conceived for... Bravo, Maestro Bach, bravo, Maestro Schiff 🌹 🎩

[@marcoantonioillescasmarroq3616]

Imagine how beautiful the master of masters would have been having a piano in his prodigious hands.

[@joachimsickenberger9048]

Auf deutsch: großartig. Musikalische Schönheit

[@pnfctg12]

Andreas Schiff's face beams with reverence ... amazing rendition of this beautiful music.

[@andradas9688]

Mr. Schiff's intelligence and impeccable sound flow over the keyboard in this superior rendition of Bach's masterpiece. His touch is so crystalline and rich at the same time. His understanding of the harpsichord plays a major role in all of his performances of Bach. I adore Glenn Gould's Goldberg, but with Schiff the music reigns absolute.

[@trewq398]

Love that they waited a bit at the end with the clapping until andras had a moment to enjoy the silence.

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

Obviously a sophisticated knowledgeable audience who understands the etiquette of classical music.

[@ugo957]

Потрясающая интерпетация гениального произведения Баха. Техника феноменальная, звук маэстро Шиффа ласкает слух , стиль исполнения Баха , пожалуй, самый точный стиль самого Баха, словно сам Бах играет, такое ощущение, возможно суб' ективное.Выдающаяся игра.Спасибо, маэстро.❤🎉

[@sophiayushina3667]

Маэстро,лорд Андреаш Шифф-гениальный музыкант,пианист,дирижер-потрясающий интерпретатор гениальной музыки И.С. Баха-СлаваГосподу за его человеческие творения в земных воплощениях❤

[@bobjones-bt9bh]

the only other performer besides Gould whose version of this I would recommend. Schiff was always the one who abided by the score faithfully, but I feel like here he lets himself breathe. Nobody will ever outshine Gould on this work but Schiff performs a very humble and earnest reading here. Would hazard to say that this is one of his finest performances ever IMO because he let himself and the music speak, as there was no strict scoring.

[@fpcoleman57]

I had the privilege of being at a concert by Andràs Schiff in the mid eighties at Wigmore Hall in London. I don't remember what he played but he totally blew me away. He is incredible!

[@jktekkerz8735]

Must have been a really memorable concert.

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

@@jktekkerz8735 Must be sarcasm.....so important a concert cannot remember the name of it!

[@user-cz3qw8nk4s]

いいですね。こんな丸いゴルトベルク。ありがとうございます。

[@stpd1957]

Oh Maestro Schiff's playing is sublime. Seán

[@paulstrickler5684]

In the reprise of the aria after var. 30, Schiff strips all ornaments from the repeat of mm 1-16; during the repeat of mm 17-32, he again strips all but two mordants. He thus leaves us with the most basic statement upon which the remarkable 30 variations are based. I have never heard any other pianist do this.

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

I've not encountered this before and it seems very effective. Kempff strips the whole aria of ornamentation as a matter of course. I'm sure he had a rationale for this, but the ornamentation is so intrinsic.

[@akiblue]

I do this! Only because I'm learning and don't know how to do the mordants and trills yet

[@nascenzio2089]

This is one of the best KZbin videos I have viewed. Everything is great: Schiff, of course; the sound, the video and the sidebar with all the times & descriptions of each variation was just great. That info added a lot to the whole experience. Thanks, Sand.

[@marmitedan1234]

The Rubic's Cube of music. To be completely honest, I've been lost in the Goldberg Variations for a while now. What a fantastic performance!

[@taf44tt8io]

" I've been lost" This is what happens with lifetime masterpieces, music, paintings, poetry, any kind. They take a place in our soul - or inner self, flesh and bones - and, often, it's a huge place; then, they come with us, day by day - we sing it, we repeat them, we sleeo with, and we dream with. And we travel very very, with them. And each time it's a new time, a new thing, an inexhaustible source of Life.

[@quaver1239]

Thank you, Sand Wolf. Also for your re-direction to the lecture. I cannot ever get enough of Schiff and the Goldberg Variations. For those who are interested, in Schiff’s book, *Music Comes Out of Silence*, he devotes an entire section to these great Variations, their construction, the patterns they follow and how to really LISTEN to and HEAR them.

[@christinevitouxerben3049]

Que de paysages parcourus dans cette écoute de Bach-Schiff. Un voyage qui remet à tout instant dans un train d’espoir

[@lohsemichael6398]

Was für ein Künstler, die beste Interpretation seit Glenn Gould!

[@benitoantonioacostagarcia-3057]

La interpretación de András Schiff impecable, deliciosamente versátil, con la moderación y el equilibrio que le caracterizan, como siempre y profundamente sentida. Lástima que en dos ocasiones se corta la audición , poco tiempo , pero para romper el encanto.

[@marioortolani1730]

A Bach ed al sig Shiff gli terrei l ombrello tutte le volte che piove!

[@annemiebock382]

Andreas Schiff ist eine Klasse für sich! Viel mehr kann man über ihn und sein Verständnis von Musik uns seine Erfahrungen, seine Einstellungen zum Leben in seinem lesenswerten Buch : " Musik kommt aus der Stille "! Herzlichen Gruß aus Köln! olitik

[@Quim141]

Germany brought the two best and most revolutionary composers of all time: Bach and Beethoven. 3rd for me is Stravinsky.

[@user-ub6ri9il6o]

Где звук

[@jonathanmorgan1793]

Lamb Chops extra rare... Bon Apetit... Ready when you are Sgt Pembry...

[@user-lb3mf3xm6b]

Великолепные вариации в исполнении замечательного музыканта!

[@MegaCirse]

Merveilleux András Schiff

[@christiaanscheen9593]

I listened this music in Botswana (2018) and love it!!

[@SongOfTheSoul63]

Love this! Love how Schiff loves Bach ❤️ 😘

[@santiagopenafiel1582]

Fantástico gracias

[@jubeltr]

Este hombre sabe de memoria toda la obra de Bach...

[@MichaelTLam]

Thank you so much!

[@izharkhan4915]

This keeps my sanity

[@QuirkoTheBirko]

Thank you.

[@JasonWebb-ix4hg]

Bach kicked open the door of the maths potential of music, at the time of the Protestant Ref., Which Beethoven & the Romantics (& others) later waltzed through In my humbled opinion Excellent performance!

[@gaetanlelu1499]

10'31", etc. totale redécouverte de ce passage, les richesses sont en lumière.

[@mbusozuma3729]

Beautiful

[@Leon-xw3nv]

Thank you for posting this devine video!

[@evanroberts4583]

Wow. Bravo!

[@meropale]

The first variation is such happy music.

[@gauriblomeyer1835]

Just wonderful to listen to. An inner happiness is created.

[@kimdame0629]

Que c'est beau!🎉

[@richardkmason4351]

A masterpiece, masterfully played.

[@alexisdanielvaneskeheian2127]

Maravilloso!!!!!! Muchas gracias por compartir.

[@lauraraimondi4789]

è sempre il migliore

[@muddi1979]

Wunderschön und er spielt alles auswendig! Grandios

[@tinataleghani4254]

Wonderfulllll❤

[@elisabethchartinier2131]

Very elegantly played. Bach would have been proud.

[@freeformcklok9862]

Nice 2 meet you!!!

[@stephengardner763]

wOW.Great piece.Great performance

[@Quim141]

Every day pass I'm more grateful to be born after Bach wrote this meravelous music. And grateful to be able to hear it every day. Bach music satisfies me at the emotional and intelectual level.

[@tuxguys]

How did this incredibly TRUE performance of this masterpiece by the Greatest Architect of Sound the Human Race has ever produced not get a standing ovation? (The astonishingly harmonically-ahead-of-its-time Variation 25, anticipating both Claude Debussy and Bill Evans by 2 or 3 centuries, begins at 54:01.)

[@darrylschultz9395]

My guess is they were glued to their seats by the sheer profundity of it all-which indicates an even greater appreciation than standing up! Cheers.😆🤙

[@mabohemesoleiletchair6203]

0:59 La maravilla de las maravillas. Leo, mientras mis oídos se solazan con Bach. Gracias.

[@NohSpinZone]

Such effortless playing of variation 5. Masterful.

[@XX-kf8er]

thanks

[@eronalmeida2904]

...A MELHOR INTERPRETAÇÃO DESSA MARAVILHA👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@maximilianwang8628]

this is the best version so far i have ever heard.

[@Quim141]

It's just as Bach wanted to be played for sure. He plays in style, but using the piano as a dynamic tool to enlight the piece. Just wonderfull rendition. I hear the Aria and many variations all days, and it gets me some peace in this difficult world we live.

[@luigiesposito8416]

Musica incredibilmente bella, esecutore straordinario

[@leonardograssi1525]

nella storia musicale, due sono i geni della musica beethoven ,per aver portato al massimo grado di perfezione la forma della sonata ,della sinfonia e del quartetto;bach,per aver portato al massimo grado di compiutezza la forma della fuga; le variazioni goldberg sono un'inno alla perfezione universale e il maestro schiff ne entra di diritto!

[@klarinetta]

Marvelous pianist. My absolute favorite pianist ever ❤

[@deborasalgueiro3735]

Interpretação de clareza técnica e precisa...❤

[@larsv2051]

Not my favorite but precise, dance-like, thoughtful and respectful. Someone who plays Bach about Bach, and not about himself.

[@felixsinniger280]

" Someone who ...." Glenn Gould

[@user-yk5dk7ky9n]

감사합니다 건강하세요~

[@birjanka]

Спасибо большое! Мне нравится именно это исполнение.

[@manfredwilhelmy7634]

Maravillosa interpretaciòn del gran maestro Schiff. Es luminosa, contrasta con otras que no lo son .....

[@MegaCirse]

Quand le monde fléchit autour de soi, quand les structures d’une civilisation vacillent, il est bon de revenir à ce qui, dans l’histoire, ne fléchit pas, mais au contraire redresse le courage, rassemble les séparés, pacifie sans meurtrir. Il est bon de rappeler que le génie de la création est lui aussi à l’œuvre dans une histoire vouée à la destruction

[@kenli6035]

Great interpretation of the piece by Schiff! Always the Best! So sad that 15 was unable to listen to :(

[@user-jb4ip4jz3d]

О, а я как раз удивляюсь, что это никто не пишет о пропадании звука на 15 вариации?! Очень, очень жаль! Шифф великолепен!

[@gabrielrecla1957]

Cela donne sens à la vie. Merci Andras

[@leonardograssi1525]

musica sublime!!!!La sua profondita'concettuale travalica ogni remora di carattere morale, spirituale esistenziale......Schiff e' l'incarnazione del genio bachiano!!!!!La sua e' un 'interpretazione di una dolcezza paradisiaca!!!!!!

[@Ruben300m]

You are sublime like Bach

[@chita1205]

Realmente música é ouvir o génio de BACH!

[@user-cy1ii2kk8j]

Genius composer and genius performer!

[@inesgsoria]

Maravillosa interpretación, arranca lágrimas!

[@magdagera9163]

Why on earth does the video get muted at 30:03?????

[@MrGuitarMR]

... und das alles auswendig gelernt!

[@NeilRaouf]

god he knows and feels it inside out

[@wolfram9669]

Wonderful!

[@iloveFreedom.]

Oh exquisite 💫💥🎶🎂Bravo Mulchio Gratias ThankYou Sir Intricate Perfection 🎉 I feel better now More whole again.

[@BerndBouillonRacing]

from another world

[@yasamanderiszadeh902]

Brilliant interpretation!😍

[@bucquoismusic]

Just released my own interpretation of selected Bach GB Variations. I pray that they would do justice to Bach's musical intentions. Please have a listen. 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iImod5-Ij86betU

[@cos2mer2]

Beyond gratitude to Schiff, and to the divine J Bach!!!!

[@Ago212]

I have listened to a large number of pianists play this beautiful piece by Bach but, to my knowledge, no one is capable of making both hands sing together or separately like Glenn Gould!

[@MariaManuelMateus]

i am pianist and when i play Bach is one of my favorites i am near of God

[@lylemoultrie5498]

Fantastic and wonderful!! But why is there no audio for all of variation 15 at 31:00 - 35:22 !!??

[@chester6343]

Copyright

[@ChelimYrneh]

@@chester6343 Aha ! Thanks for clearing up that mystery

[@yamabiko1411]

I liked Gould's Variation 26 very much and I found Schiff's one is softer, introspective and a way more dinamic!

[@janevonmaltzahn2667]

Bach reincarnated as András Schiff so that our age would know how his music was supposed to be played.

[@Quim141]

Indeed

[@konagor9463]

Merci pour le video mais ... la variation 15 (entre 30' et 35') il n'a pas de son, rien du tout !!!!! Pouvez vous s'il vous plait faire quelque chose ??? Merci d'avance

[@MelloPianista]

The best part at 34:00 just kidding! =) *Schiff's interpretation is Celestial !!!*

[@daffyduck4195]

7:07 In that auditorium circular formation is how all piano recitals should be. The Berlin Philharmonic has a similar wrap-around auditorium seating formation.

[@user-tw5ft9no6n]

И всё таки Глен Гульд кажется истинно Баховским исполнителем

[@felixsinniger280]

The personalities of BACH and Gould have little in common.

[@ilyamurom]

Thanks a lot. But a little problem: no sound for variation 15, at 00:31

[@josephhapp9]

Read side notes.

[@clarification007]

would be so great to get that video in 1080p vs 720p

[@lilianaeberhardt]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤