BF4 Bachfest Ensemble

Bach’s Goldberg variations need no introduction. The violinist Dmitri Sitkovetsky arranged the original keyboard version for string trio in 1985 to coincide with Bach’s 300th anniversary, dedicating it to Glenn Gould. The result is a wonderful reinvention of the piece through the lyrical beauty of the string instruments.

Programme

J S Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988 arr for string trio

Bachfest Ensemble

Tim Crawford violin
Noga Shaham viola
Adrian Brendel cello

About the Bachfest Ensemble
I’m excited to introduce the specially-formed Bachfest Ensemble that will perform several times during Bath Bachfest 2026, allowing an opportunity for the audience to develop a deeper relationship with these very fine musicians.
Violinists Stephen Waarts and Tim Crawford are memorable past visitors to Bath Mozartfest while also specialising in Bach’s music; the young Berlin-based violist Noga Shaham has made a fantastic impression at the start of her career and has played regularly this season with leading orchestras including Berliner Philharmoniker; Sergio Bucheli and Xiaowen Shang are both in great demand as continuo players and they recently appeared together in a Nash Ensemble concert at London’s Wigmore Hall. Oboist Nicholas Daniel needs little introduction as one of the UK’s finest musicians, and I will be providing a bass line for the group with great pleasure!
- Adrian Brendel, Artistic Director