Rethinking Bach: The Goldberg Variations for Solo violin

J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988
(Arrangement for Solo Violin by Jorge Jiménez)

It has been suggested that the Goldberg Variations were written to ease the nights of insomnia of Bach's patron: Count Keyserlingk. Whilst we are unsure whether this account is totally true or not, the hypnotic nature of the Goldberg Variations cannot be doubted. Jimenez has arranged and recomposed this monumental work of art for unaccompanied violin. The Goldberg Variations aren’t just any set of variations on a theme, they are variations by the 'God of Harmony', Johann Sebastian Bach. The complexity of the architecture of these pieces is such that just arranging them wasn't enough to suit the violin, so Jorge has resized them.

Imagine trying to fit all the furniture of Versailles Palace into a beautiful, tiny one-bedroom attic in Rue Lafayette: one would have to choose the best and aim to keep the same feel of the big space in a tiny one. Lots of compositions by Bach adapt brilliantly to any instrument, but these variations are extremely complex, even more complex in depth than the Kunst Der Fugue. Jiménez has rearranged, almost recomposed them, in the style that lots of popular works were arranged during this period, to fit the different needs of performers and audience.

This transcription of Bach's Goldberg Variations is the completion of a 2 year long project in which the piece has toured Poland (where Insomnia was featured as part of his Artist Residency at the Festiwal Bachowski Swidnica), Spain and the UK and culminating in the first-ever recording of the Goldbergs in this groundbreaking arrangement for solo violin.

“Sleep comes more easily than it returns.” ― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables