Bach’s Goldberg Variations
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Johann Sebastian Bach arr. James Ferree
Goldberg Variations for Chamber Orchestra (SPCO Commission)
The charming tale behind Johann Sebastian Bach’s original 1791 work for keyboard is well-known, if not reliably-sourced — the work was commissioned by a Count, who on many sleepless nights would summon Bach’s pupil, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, to “play me one of my variations" to lift his spirits. (Arranging this work during the opening stages of the pandemic, it became quite personal and therapeutic for me as well.) Beginning with a heavenly Aria, Bach sets the bass-line to 30 variations in G Major (except for the three variations in G minor), exploring the extremes of keyboard technique, counterpoint, mood, and style. With nine canons punctuating the work like Grecian columns, in-between lie all kinds of flavors: fugue, menuet, French overture, chorale, invention, gigue, etc. Add to that the thematic motives tightly knitting the variations together, and Bach’s compositional wizardry is on full display.
But it was the intimacy of the work, the virtuosity, and the variety of characters that convinced me (and SPCO violinist Daria Adams, who proposed the idea to me) that Goldberg was ripe with potential to arrange for my colleagues in the SPCO. The work becomes a tour of the orchestra and its musicians, and the instruments add their unique colors as a painter splashes color on the black-and-white frames of the earliest moving-pictures. Whatever character might be present in the music — whether stark (such as the famous “Black Pearl” variation), sweet (Var. 13), or just plain fun (Var. 11) — my intent is to magnify it here through the orchestral lens.
Bach is among the most revered composers of all time, and he is truly my number one. His music must be treated with the utmost respect, and the greatest success of this arrangement will remain Bach’s own ingenuity. Yet alongside the gravitas of Bach’s music is his fantastic sense of humor. (I highly recommend a quick internet search on “Bach Goldberg quodlibet.”) With an entire orchestra available to render a solo keyboard work, I felt freedom to flesh out textures and voices, or pare things down as I felt served the music.
A word about the subtitles: I began nicknaming each variation just as a way to tell all the Goldberg "children" apart as I worked, referencing music theory, world events, my reaction or approach to each variation, or just wordplay. But these rather free-association titles became a sort of window into how I experience Goldberg, and they stuck. Maybe because they grant permission to mere mortals like me and you to engage Bach’s music on a personal level — it's still Bach, but Bach reimagined. My hope is that more people may experience the riches of Goldberg in a new light.
James Ferree ©2022
About This Program
Approximate length 2:00
THESE PERFORMANCES ARE CANCELED
Given the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant in our community, we have made the difficult decision to cancel concerts in our Neighborhood Series venues through March 13.
Those with tickets to canceled concerts can exchange tickets for another concert, turn the value of your tickets back as a tax-deductible donation to the SPCO or bank them in your account for use at a future concert. Refunds may also be requested by contacting the Ticket Office at tickets@spcomail.org or by calling 651.291.1144 during Ticket Office hours (12–5pm Monday–Friday, 11am–3pm Saturday). Any tickets that are not donated, exchanged or refunded will be banked in your SPCO account for later use.
We began our season this fall by performing only at the Ordway Concert Hall, where we could concentrate our efforts on providing the safest possible concert environment with enhanced ventilation, adequate room for distancing in the hall, on stage and backstage, and a professional usher staff to implement safety measures. We were hopeful that the pandemic situation would have improved enough by January that we could return to our Neighborhood Series venues this month. Unfortunately, with case numbers surging in our community, we need to remain focused on providing concerts in just one location at this time. Therefore, all SPCO concerts outside of the Ordway are canceled through March 13. We will continue to assess the environment and prioritize the health and safety of our audience, staff and musicians, and we hope to resume our Neighborhood Series performances after March 13.
All SPCO performances at the Ordway will continue, as scheduled, barring further positive COVID-19 tests or confirmed exposures among our musicians, stage crew and concert staff in the coming weeks.
Experience the world premiere of SPCO Principal Horn James Ferree’s arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations for Chamber Orchestra. Originally conceived for solo keyboard, the Goldberg Variations is a monumental work full of color, intimacy and virtuosity — ample fodder for the musicians of the SPCO. Ferree’s arrangement will take the audience on a personal tour of the individuals and instruments of the SPCO. With this approach, the work becomes a concerto grosso at times, then features soloists, a string quartet here, a wind band there.
All audience members are required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to attending this event. Non-cloth masks (N95, KN95, KF94 or surgical masks) are required regardless of vaccination status. More Information
Concerts are currently limited to 50% capacity to allow for distancing. Tickets are available by price scale, and specific seats will be assigned and delivered a couple of weeks prior to each concert — including Print At Home tickets. Please email us at tickets@spcomail.org if you have any seating preferences or accessibility needs. Seating and price scale charts can be found at thespco.org/venues.