Goldberg Variations

In this lunchtime recital, harpsichordist Nathaniel Mander performs Bach’s Goldberg Variations, a masterpiece of Baroque music, consisting of an aria and 30 variations. Composed for harpsichord, it’s renowned for its complexity, virtuosity, and ingenious structure. The variations showcase a wide range of musical styles and techniques, from intricate contrapuntal writing to expressive ornamentation. The work is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, the harpsichordist for whom Bach composed it, and it remains one of Bach’s most beloved and enduring compositions, cherished by musicians and listeners alike for its beauty and brilliance.