Bach - Goldberg Variations - Arr. for Chamber Orchestra by Józef Koffler (1938)

J.S. Bach's masterpiece for solo keyboard has been reworked many times in the 20th century. One of the first to do so was the Polish-Jewish composer Józef Koffler, who was also a crucial figure in the development of twelve-tone composition in Poland. This still rarely performed transcription of the Goldberg Variations for chamber orchestra was composed in 1938. Just six years later, Koffler and his family would perish in the Holocaust, murdered by Einsatzgruppen troops after the liquidation of the Wieliczka ghetto.
Performed by the Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble and students from The Glenn Gould School under the direction of Trevor Pinnock.
Recorded live at Wigmore Hall, London on June 11th 2019.

[@cbanow]

Just Marvelous !!!!

[@richardclark8656]

Just came across this on Apple Music, listening here again (same performance). I hear Rameau so strongly in this wonderful transcription. I just found out that Koffler and his family were murdered by the Nazis towards the end of the war. It seems like the beginning Aria and its reprise especially, but the whole composition as well, makes a very beautiful and moving elegy for and tribute to this family.

[@eryk2]

Józef Koffler był jednym z najwspanialszych kompozytorów dwudziestolecia międzywojennego, a jego opracowanie "Wariacji Goldbergowskich" to mistrzostwo świata.

[@ghostofyeats]

The Goldberg variations is some of my favorite music, and has been with me for years and years. I love this version! It's so full of life, warmth, and color, but, to my ears, always keeping with the spirit of the original. It's awful what happened to Koffler and other Jews of that time... I feel we are fortunate to have documents, like this rendition, that have remained.

[@ahmetsonmez925]

you're so right, it has so much warmth, perhaps so smooth

[@georgejohnson1498]

Inspiring arrangements of one of my favourite pieces. I heard the broadcast and am delighted to be able to listen again. Best wishes from George

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

Koffler was a major talent who has disappeared into the fog of music history thanks to the murderous thugs who didn't realize they were extinguishing a musical treasure.

[@fiandrhi]

Yes. Fascists are anti-human scum.

[@Talldude88]

The Nazis knew what they were doing but did not care about the human devastation they were causing. Shame on them all for the rest of eternity. May they all rot in hell forever.

[@ymaysernameuay1113]

@@Talldude88 You're not much better than the Nazis if you're ok with ANYONE being in hell FOREVER.

[@trevpr1]

My CD shelves groan with disc from Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert from the 1980's.

[@sejaqucdabiran7104]

Agréable mais dommage que l'écriture symphonique n'ait pas plus "d'ampleur". Quand pourrais je ENFIN avoir une version pour orchestre symphonique de ces variations ??!

[@hankdusommeil1065]

I happened to be listening to Respighi before I opened this, and the transition is not at all hard to do...