One that in four years has reached a peak of perfection that kept a rapturous full house in complete silence for the entire duration.
Playing with all the repeats except in the final Aria he was justly greeted by a standing ovation with cat calls and whistles worthy of a football stadium at the end of this extraordinary marathon.
https://keyboardtrust.org/2021/05/jonathan-ferrucci-goldberg-variations/
This is the fascinating pod cast for the Keyboard Trust with Jonathan Ferrucci ……some inspired and inspiring comments that were recorded in an improvised encounter as he prepared for his first performances of the Goldberg variations in 2021 .It culminated last night in London with a performance in 2024 where all the strands seemed to come miraculously together.Knotty twine or jigsaw puzzle it is without doubt the work of a Universal Genius.
There was lots to discuss all centred around Florence…….and Bach!
It was there that I first heard Rosalyn Tureck giving a lecture on Bach in the Cristofori museum of Stefano Fiuzzi.I could not believe that she had not been invited to give a recital so I invited her to play in Rome.A performance of the Goldberg Variations ,one that I had never forgotten from my student days in London.( see programme below)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EBpfFc5vgA3na_SQpE06hdQUByAjpx3Q/view?usp=drive_web
It created a sensation after 25 years absence from the stage when she had stopped performing in order to dedicate herself to the study of Bach in Oxford.Creating her own Bach research institute of which I was eventually invited to be a trustee.
Florence immediately woke up and invited her to La Pergola theatre and she became the diva of this centre of European culture,playing sometimes twice a season.
That mantle has now passed to Angela Hewitt and it is she who had noted in 2014 a young florentine boy of quite exceptional human and pianistic gifts with whom she has been sharing her unique ideas from a life immersed in the world of the Universal Genius of J.S.Bach.
Rosalyn’s performance was like a rock to be revered and honoured from a distance whereas Angela’s is based on the song and the dance to be enjoyed and moved ,touched as it is by the human spirit.
Angela had trained as a dancer which one can admire in all that she does. Jonathan practises Ashtanga yoga and considers it an integral part of his work ,and essential in his life.In fact he stands on his head for a few minutes before starting the day.
Jonathan’s teacher for 10 years ,Giovanni Carmassi,inspired him to pursue music in life but did warn him that music is a “dangerous disease” .The book of conversations with Carmassi is the New Testament as Neuhaus the Old.Both are a pianist’s bible .
This pod cast discussion includes some magnificent examples from Jonathan’s first performance in 2021.It was to be a performance to cherish but work in progress always.
Angela Hewitt had recently played them in the church where Bach is laid to rest in Leipzig.
If music be the food of love …..play on ………
We certainly need it in these unexpected times.
“I have not been with you for so long”
“Cabbages and turnips have driven me away”………”If my mother had cooked meat ,I would have stayed longer!”
What can this last variation mean ………Jonathan reveals what he has discovered in his lockdown study of the greatest set of variations ever written.
Here are the various stops so far from the start of a lifetimes’ journey delving into the workings of a Universal Genius
Goldberg – Ferrucci at St Mary’s The start of a glorious journey of discovery
Goldberg in the land of Perugino Jonathan Ferrucci in Città della Pieve
Jonathan Ferrucci the return of a warrior The Goldberg Variations in Florence
Jonathan Ferrucci KCT American Tour – Goldberg – A voyage of discovery
21 March 1685 Eisenach – 28 July 1750 (aged 65) Leipzig
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 