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Newman, a Stamford resident known for his masterful performances (see previous Daily Voice story HERE), promised he'll play the pieces with vigor. Since the Goldberg Variations are known for being rather long and slowly played, he told Daily Voice: “I am into the quick version.”
A bit of history for those who don't unfamiliar with the Goldberg Variations: Johann Theophilus Goldberg was a young harpsichordist and Bach wrote him music to play for Count Keyserlingk, Goldberg’s patron and a Russian diplomat. “Keyserlingk suffered from insomnia, and Bach wrote the pieces to lull the Count to sleep,” explained Newman. “I will talk between the Variations to let the audience know what’s happening.“
Newman will also play Bach’s Italian Concerto, a three-movement work originally written for a two-manual harpsichord.
The third piece on the program is the Chromatic Fantasia, which Bach played for his son, Wilhelm Friedman Bach, who later wrote a poem about the piece. “It is the longest and most brilliant keyboard fugue of the Baroque era,” said Newman.
The series continues on Wednesday, April 20, featuring the Archduke Trio, dedicated to Archduke Rudolph of Austria. “It’s the greatest piano trio ever written, and the last piece Beethoven played in public,” said Newman. This fifth concert also includes a performance of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, arranged for chamber ensemble by Newman.
The 2015-16 Bedford Chamber Concerts finale will be held Wednesday, May 11 and will concentrate on Vivaldi, including the Four Seasons. The program also includes concerti for multiple violins and a flute concerto.
All concerts begin at 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at St. Matthew’s Church, 382 Cantitoe Street, Bedford. Tickets for the March 16 and April 20 concerts are $35 per person, and are $40 for the season finale on May 11.
For more information, go to www.bedfordchamberconcerts.org/or call (914) 522-5150.
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