Goldberg Variations BWV 988

GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
Like no other, the music of Johann Sebastian Bach can be a relentlessly honest mirror of our inner contradictions - and at the same time provide deep comfort in difficult times. The Corona pandemic, which also abruptly tore us from our musical and professional everyday life, was perceived as particularly challenging worldwide. Just as many other musicians sought refuge in Bach’s music during this time, we were also looking for this musical-spiritual compass to show us the way in a dense fog of uncertainty.

As an uncertain future loomed before us, we found the intensive work on the Goldberg Variations comforting and deeply beneficial during times when, in Germany, only two households were allowed to meet. Consequently, the three of us became family. Making music together had never been more essential.

Furthermore, we also consider ourselves family in terms of musical style. All three of us grew up in Freiburg, born into families of musicians, and from the very beginning we breathed the same fresh air of historically informed performance practice. As united as the music world may be in its love of Bach’s music, the differences in their interpretations are enormous. Perhaps that is precisely what makes this music so valuable, for there are an infinite number of ways to its inherent truth.

For our idea of recording the Goldberg Variations in the string version, our musical affinity was nevertheless the most important basis. Therefore, we embarked on the excitingly narrow path between the romantic sound ideal inherent in Dmitry Sitkovetsky’s transcription and our desire for agile Baroque transparency. In order to do justice to both, we decided to combine modern instruments with baroque bows.

The release of this CD marks the end of a long journey for us. What remains for us above all is a feeling of deep gratitude to the many people who have supported us in this project, for our friendship and for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

SALAGON TRIO
Lisa Immer
Sebastian Wohlfarth
Gesine Queyras