Rachel Fryer: Variations Down the Line II

In this second concert, Rachel will perform the second half of Bach’s Goldberg Variations (nos. 16-30) with world premieres of three sets of three variations composed by Nicola Lefanu, Michael Finnissy and Alison Kay.

Rachel Fryer has performed Bach’s Goldberg Variations many times over the years, and this has led her to Variations Down the Line, an exciting new project presenting Bach’s Variations interwoven with five 21st century responses, co-commissioned by JAM for this JAM on the Marsh: VIRTUAL festival.

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 16-18

Nicola Lefanu: Variations Down the Line Nos. 7-9 (world premiere)
Three piano miniatures after Bach’s Goldberg Variations for Rachel Fryer
1. Prelude
2. Toccata
3. Canon at the Seventh (two-part invention)

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 19-21

Michael Finnissy: Variations Down the Line Nos. 10-12 (world premiere)
‘Extra Goldbergs’ based on J.S.Bach Nos.19-21
Variation 1
Variation 2
Variation 3

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 22-24

Alison Kay: Variations Down the Line Nos. 13 (world premiere)
1. Prayer (based on JS Bach Aria)

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 25

Alison Kay: Variations Down the Line Nos. 14 (world premiere)
2: Toccata (based on JS Bach No 25)

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 26

Alison Kay: Variations Down the Line Nos. 15 (world premiere)
3. Ghost canon (based on JS Bach No 27)

JS Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Variation 27-30