J.S Bach - Goldberg Variations (version for bassoon) | WDR Symphony Orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach Aria with 30 changes BWV 988 "Goldberg Variations" in a version for seven bassoons and contrabassoon, arranged by Henrik Rabien, solo bassoonist of the WDR Symphony Orchestra and professor for bassoon at the HfMDK Frankfurt. Recorded live at the WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz on June 27, 2021.
Henrik Rabien, Mathis Stier, Ulrike Jakobs and Stefan Kasper, bassoonists of the WDR Symphony Orchestra, were joined by Felix Eberle and Paulo Ferreira from the WDR Funkhausorchetster as well as Eberhard Marschall (former Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra) and Hans Agreda (Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich) as additional guests for this chamber concert.
Henrik Rabien, bassoon
Mathis Stier, bassoon
Ulrike Jakobs, bassoon
Stefan Kasper, bassoon
Felix Eberle, bassoon
Paulo Ferreira, bassoon
Eberhard Marschall, bassoon
Hans Agreda, contrabassoon
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○ Introduction to the work
The "Goldberg Variations" in an unusual arrangement for seven bassoons and contrabassoon. The idea came from Henrik Rabien, principal bassoonist of the WDR Symphony Orchestra. Bach's composition "Aria with 30 Changes" BWV 988 has been known since the 19th century under the title "Goldberg Variations." As Bach's biographer J. N. Forkel reported, the Imperial Count Hermann Carl von Keyserlingk had ordered "some piano pieces" from Bach. They were intended for the young harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who was to play them for the Count, who suffered from tormenting insomnia. The initially small order grew into something much larger under Bach's hands: Since their publication, the "Goldberg Variations" have been considered the pinnacle of Baroque harpsichord music and, beyond that, of the art of variation in general. With the intention of preserving his compositional legacy, Bach had begun to publish carefully selected works for piano and organ in print in the 1730s. The "Goldberg Variations", published in 1741 as Part IV of the "Clavierübung", formed the crowning conclusion. Since Keyserlingk is missing as dedicatee in the printed edition and Johann Gottlieb Goldberg was only 14 years old in 1741, doubts have been raised again and again about J. N. Forkel's anecdote of the genesis of the work
Regarding the structure: the "Goldberg Variations" begin with the introduction of the Aria, followed by 30 elaborate variations that become more and more technically difficult. Remarkably, it is not the ornamented upper voice of the Aria that forms the starting point of the variations, but the bass: Bach develops ingenious piano variations of various genres on the foundation of a 32-bar bass line and its harmonies. Strict canons (every 3rd piece) alternate with virtuoso dance movements and demanding etudes. In the end, after about an hour, Bach's humor wins out over the elaborate variations. The final variation, the extremely artfully set quodlibet, quotes two whimsical folk songs ("Ich bin so lang nicht bei dir g'west" and "Kraut und Rüben haben mich vertrieben") over the thematic bass, thus providing a relaxed finale while maintaining the most complex compositional technique. The circle closes with the repetition of the Aria.
Bach's "Goldberg Variations" have already been arranged several times for other instruments. The unusual version for seven bassoons and one contrabassoon by Henrik Rabien received its successful premiere in 2013 with the Bassoon Consort Frankfurt at Frankfurt's Senckenberg Museum. In 2015, a recording was released on the MDG label, which was awarded an "Echo Klassik" in 2016.
Text: Tilla Clüsserath

[@alexmoore2374]

Timestamps! Aria: 0:01 Var. 1: 4:25 Var. 2: 6:42 Var. 3: 8:29 Var. 4: 11:04 Var. 5: 12:34 Var. 6: 14:34 Var. 7: 16:13 Var. 8: 18:17 Var. 9: 20:41 Var. 10: 22:52 Var. 11: 24:47 Var. 12: 27:23 Var. 13: 30:02 Var. 14: 35:24 Var. 15: 38:03 Var. 16: 43:24 Var. 17: 46:42 Var. 18: 49:06 Var. 19: 50:50 Var. 20: 52:39 Var. 21: 55:16 Var. 22: 58:00 Var. 23: 59:45 Var. 24: 1:02:39 Var. 25: 1:05:19 Var. 26: 1:13:25 Var. 27: 1:16:04 Var. 28: 1:18:22 Var. 29: 1:21:02 Var. 30: 1:24:26 Aria da capo: 1:26:34

[@richardwhitehouse8762]

Hard to believe it wasn't written for this combo. Unbelievable playing from everyone. I hope no-one had to do the Rite of Spring the next day...

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you very much! We're glad that you like our rendition 🤗

[@travisscott701]

Wonderful - such a fresh way to hear this wonderful music.

[@raphaelhudson]

the playing here is out of this world. I cannot fathom how you all played so well with these difficult pieces. This is certainly the best arrangement for something other than piano I have ever heard.

[@ottopark]

So etwas hat die Welt noch nicht erlebt! Ganz große Gratulation und Riesenrespekt!

[@raffitorossian6994]

It was an excellent melodic work of the legend Bach and played brilliantly with bassoons. Thanks for uploading.

[@WDRKlassik]

You're welcome! We're happy that you like it 🤗

[@FedericoFrezzolinifrezZ]

Non avrei mai pensato di ascoltare un'esecuzione così straordinaria arrangiata per fagotto e controfagotto. Bellissima!

[@WDRKlassik]

Grazie! 🤗

[@ericgoldberg522]

At first thought, it seems like something from the mind of Gerard Hoffnung, but the arrangement and the virtuosity of the players convinces me that this is a perfectly acceptable way to hear this work. In fact it is delightful and I have the authority of being both a bassoonist and a Goldberg. Thank you

[@WDRKlassik]

Nice to hear that you - especially as a Goldberg! - enjoyed it. Thank you! ❤

[@sosnowskitomasz7459]

Klasse,einsahme Klasse.

[@jacquesgras1084]

Bonjour .Cet ensemble de bassons est fameux . Je suis en admiration par l' exécution de cette œuvre qui sonne ici vraiment très bien: Bravo pour cette transcription. Le bassoniste qui joue le contrebasson est vraiment excellent Bravo pour cette magnifique interprétation.

[@stout79]

They really are like gods! Thank you for this jewel: beautiful transcription and wonderful sounds

[@Rollkragenpullover]

Ich meine: Genial-phantastische Musik trifft auf hochgradig versierten Arrangeur und hervorragende Musiker/in mit tollem Instrument! 1½ Stunden beeindruckender und vielschichtiger (intellektueller sowie sinnlicher) Genuß! Man freut sich über jedes Wiederholungszeichen und wünschte, Bach hätte allein schon für dieses hochprofessionelle Ensemble nochmal so viele Variationen geschrieben. Vielen Dank! 🎶👍

[@WDRKlassik]

Hi, Rollkragen! Vielen lieben Dank für Ihre netten Worte. Es freut uns sehr, dass Ihnen unsere Musik gefällt. Liebe Grüße Das WDR Sinfonieorchester

[@Stetigkeitsbereich]

Einfach so gut. Kann es in Endlosschleife hören!

[@WDRKlassik]

Danke! ❤

[@galinakrivulin6767]

Incredible concert! Bravo! Thank you again.

[@maggio8191]

Simply amaaaaaazing! Thanks to all of you!

[@danielponder690]

This is amazing, really beautiful arrangement/transcription. I'm familiar with some of the bassoonists, particularly Agrada and Marschall, some of the best players out there!

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you! ❤

[@seyunyunikim]

So schön..🌛

[@Bareego]

As someone who dabbled a bit in playing bassoon I must say this is superb ! I really love the way that sometimes the contrabassoon is so aggressively played it almost has the sound of a brass horn.

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you! We're glad that you like it 😊

[@user-eu7lk7lg8m]

Total insane to do it, amazing work!

[@Marianofrv]

Adorable

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you 😊

[@achilledallabona702]

So lange gewartet endlich on air! Super top 👌👌

[@pellewestlin8914]

Great arrangement, wonderfully played, thank you!!

[@user-je7sx2hn2g]

Фантастика!Не может быть-великолепно!Жаль-И.С.Бах не слышит...,а может быть...Спасибо

[@djzardonic]

Proud of my cousin Hans Ágreda for taking part in such an amazing performance 🇻🇪❤🇩🇪

[@WDRKlassik]

❤️

[@theodoresladovichjr.8923]

Beautiful transcription! Inspired me as I plan on switching from sax to bassoon, but realize I will have MANY years to go before performing with an organization. Keep up the good work. VERY impressive and ambitious project!

[@talgatsarsembaev7121]

Bravo !

[@kasatik1984mail]

Спасибо)

[@pdruiz2005]

This is the first time I've heard the Goldberg Variations NOT played on a piano or harpsichord. Cool!

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you! We're glad that you like our version 🤗

[@claudiogarciamartinez8300]

Gracias por tan hermosa música me encanta.Saludos desde Monterrey N.L. México.

[@moiseswaltervargas5760]

✋😎👌WDR Klassik👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇲🇽

[@WDRKlassik]

😍🙏

[@moltenfreddy2464]

Bravissimo!

[@NyebolszinAntal1968]

Klasse!!!

[@galinakrivulin6767]

Thank you. Watching on tv.

[@siyizhang6288]

amaaaaaaaazing!!!

[@ronmul99]

Da bin ich aber mal gespannt !

[@adolfoleongomez4631]

Bello arreglo y, excelentes fagotista. El sonido de todos y cada uno(a) de los integrantes muy lindo!!! Bravísimo !!!

[@julialoges3867]

Glanzleistung! 👏🏼

[@paolopalicalligaris]

👏👏👏👏!!!

[@achilledallabona702]

Wow

[@Emilianbogdan]

Sublim, excelent

[@GordonKindlmann]

I would pay money for a studio recording of this (less reverb). It is awesome.

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you! 😊

[@ForYou-ub6uc]

U play bassoon?

[@waynesmith3767]

Well, if we needed proof of the suitability of the Goldbergs for arrangement and performance on other than keyboard, here it is and the musicians are excellent.

[@WDRKlassik]

Thank you 🥰

[@ronmul99]

Glenn Gould plays Fagott. Ich bin überrascht und faziniert von dieser Version der Goldberg Variationen. Top ! Ob das wohltemperierte Klavier folgen wird ?

[@frankthiele9399]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🎼🎵🎶

[@parkthoven]

New attempt, great~!!

[@user-en5ib4kk4t]

They look like wizards...

[@christophevidal5610]

Bonjour, c'est un arrangement dans le style de Sérénade et de paix du Christ par l'utilisation d'un jeu de fond d'orgue ; il faut dire Goldberg le commanditaire de l'oeuvre l'avait demandé à Johann-sébastien Bach pour dormir en paix. Cette transcription annonce les Seranades pour vents comme la Gran Partita de Mozart héritage de Bach.

[@Apfelstrudl]

Richtig müsste es heißen: "Fassung für Fagottoktett"

[@thecatspajamas8918]

I’d like to know what bassoons everyone is playing on.

[@ForYou-ub6uc]

You play bassoon?

[@user-yi6di3zp3g]

催眠効果としては、原曲を超えている！ 一体こんなの誰が最後まで聴くかよ。...おいらだった...!!!!

[@jewbacha1137]

Sounds like they orchestrated Glenn Gould’s humming.

[@ForYou-ub6uc]

You also play bassoon?

[@undisclosedmusic4969]

Great bassonists but I am not convinced this work is a natural fit for a bassoon ensemble…