Albumrelease Goldbergvariations of J.S. Bach

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, on the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach, the CD Goldberg Variations by pianist Jan-Willem Rozenboom will be released.

“Behind great works of art there is often an extraordinary structure, and that is certainly true of this absolute masterpiece of the piano repertoire,” says the pianist from Tilburg. “By studying that structure, you begin to understand what you are hearing, but you will never be able to fully comprehend it. How can a composer create a dramatic arc in a work that lasts eighty minutes?

Take, for example, the divine melody of the Aria. We hear it at the beginning and at the end of the cycle. The notes are exactly the same, yet they take on a completely different meaning because of all the variations that sound in between. Bach takes you to the deepest valleys and the highest mountains. At times you even rise up to heaven, and then you feel: this is where I want to stay. When I have played the final note, I always think: I really wouldn’t mind having to leave the earthly realm now.”