Bach: Goldberg Variations / Kraggerud: Topelius Variations

Who would dare to perform Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations not on the piano, harpsichord, or lute, but now with an orchestra? None other than the Norwegian ECHO Prize winner Henning Kraggerud! Kraggerud, who is not only one of the finest violinists of his generation but also a highly sought-after composer, arranger, and conductor, has taken a bold step with the ensemble he leads, the Arctic Philharmonic, and has done so to great success. Recorded in a small Baroque church with wonderful acoustics and performed standing up with a small ensemble in historically informed performance practice, Bach's timelessly moving Goldberg Variations sound as intimate here as they do on a keyboard instrument, but enriched with never-before-heard tonal colors. Recordings like this can open Bach's work, which is part of the eternal cultural heritage of humanity, to new audiences, and even devoted Bach connoisseurs will find great pleasure in this most successful production.