Janine Jansen, Timothy Ridout & Daniel Blendulf by Bach, J. S., Nuo (2024/2024), Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Sion, Sion, Switzerland

While the exact origin of the Goldberg Variations remains uncertain, this masterpiece composed by J. S. Bach in 1741 takes us on an incredible meditative journey. Composed for a two-manual harpsichord, the thirty variations are based on a highly expressive aria. While the sarabande, a slow, ornate dance, is based on the obstinate bass so common in the Baroque era. As the work develops, the writing becomes more complex, leading us to discover different styles: canons, inventions, fugues, gigues… Each variation sheds a different light on this aria, exploring the multitude of human emotions. Janine Jansen, Timothy Ridout and Daniel Blendulf offer their own rearrangement of the string trio version composed by Russian violinist Dimitry Sitkovetsky. This trio of exceptional artists, linked by a deep friendship, explore a new world of sounds. Thanks to the varied timbres of these three instruments, we can clearly perceive the different voices of this elaborate contrapuntal writing. A fascinating rediscovery of this pinnacle of Baroque music!