Goldberg Variations with Simone Dinnerstein at Jordan Hall

Curated by Alex Fortes & Sarah Darling Musical Program: Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 arr. for Piano and String Orchestra by Alex Fortes and Sarah Darling in collaboration with Simone Dinnerstein A Far Cry and Simone Dinnerstein present a reimagining of Goldberg Variations, expanding Bach’s iconic keyboard masterpiece in revelatory, unexpected ways for piano and string orchestra. Created by Criers Alex Fortes and Sarah Darling with in collaboration with Dinnerstein, this arrangement draws out the hidden possibilities within each variation: a trio sonata here, a grand courtly orchestra there, , even a jazz-inflected walking bass line or a church chorale. Solo piano and strings continually trade, mirror, and transform the material, revealing new colors, textures, and moments of surprise while remaining rooted in the brilliance of Bach’s original. *Ten Years in the Making: When AFC premiered this project in 2016, the Boston Musical Intelligencer raved “you can’t sit through a performance [of] this arrangement and not be moved.” It makes full use of Bach’s written repeats, meaning almost nothing is heard the same way twice. Along the way, you’ll encounter unexpected moments: an intimate bass- and-piano duet, the orchestra singing, or the pianist reaching inside the instrument to pluck its strings. Following this performance, A Far Cry and Dinnerstein will record the work at Mechanics Hall in Worcester for a forthcoming album release. Learn more!