New York-based pianist Magdalena Baczewska is visiting Quest University to perform an iconic monument in Western music.聽
Published in 1741 by Johann Sebastian Bach, 鈥淕oldberg Variations鈥� is a Baroque-era keyboard piece that the performance鈥檚 organizer says is one of the most 鈥渏aw-dropping works ever written.鈥澛�
鈥淲e are excited and honoured to have a world-class pianist perform at Quest,鈥� said instructor Andrew Haringer, who invited Baczewska to Squamish in an effort to promote the arts in the community.聽
The event, Bach鈥檚 Goldberg Variations in Context, will take place on Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Quest Multipurpose Room. The evening will begin with a half-hour presentation and informal chat by Baczewska that will situate 鈥淕oldberg Variations鈥� within the French, Italian and German Baroque styles, followed by a performance of the complete variations.聽
The complicated but tranquil piece begins where it ends, leading audiences on a journey through the music.聽
鈥淥nce the audience hears the end of it, they realize they鈥檙e not the same person anymore. They hear the same music, but now it鈥檚 different to them,鈥� said Baczewska, who performed the piece throughout Europe and the United States last summer on the harpsicord and piano.聽
鈥淚t makes for a wonderful human experience once you hear its return.鈥�
Baczewka says students can learn a lot from the piece, which was last performed at Carnegie Hall in 1977 before her international tour. The work is considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to explain to the audience and students the inspiration behind the piece and why it is admired and coveted. It鈥檚 not just a museum piece 鈥� it can still be listened to and learned from,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a perfect composition to study. There couldn鈥檛 be a better piece.鈥�
Born in Poland, Baczewska is the director of the Music Performance Program at Columbia University. She taught at Montclair State University in New Jersey alongside Haringer, who later moved on to Quest.聽
Described as 鈥渆loquent and technically flawless鈥� by The Washington Post, Baczewska has produced several albums, including A Tribute to Glenn Gould and Music for Dreams, which sold 20,000 copies.聽
Although she has been to Vancouver before, this will be her first visit to Squamish.聽
鈥淭he informal chat will bring the piece closer to the audience. It will appeal to anyone, regardless of their musical knowledge,鈥� she added.聽
March is an exciting month for Squamish, with the arrival of two renowned pianists, said Haringer. The other is Germany-based Janina Fialkowska, a Piano Six founder known for her interpretation of Chopin, who is performing tomorrow (March 11) at the Eagle Eye Theatre.聽
Bach鈥檚 Goldberg Variations in Context is a free performance, but seating is limited. For information, visit questu.ca.聽
