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Bach: Goldberg Variations - Minnaar

Bach: Goldberg Variations - Minnaar

Challenge Classics  CC 72589

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Instrumental


Bach: Goldberg Variations

Hannes Minnaar (piano)


We at Challenge are proud to present a new account of Goldberg Variations by critically acclaimed young pianist Hannes Minnaar.
His rendition of Goldbergs sums up all the features of a ‘contemporary’ interpretation at the highest degree:
- Transparent, detailed, and crystal-clear phrasing: each and all notes are discernible.
- A supreme – but not artificial nor mannered – control and care of tone and sound: touch, colour and timbre are all fruit of a clearly deep insight and work.
- A smooth flow of the discourse: a solid overall concept of the work structure and a plain, simple (never emphasized) ‘singing’ of the melodic line. (Even when he takes a very slow tempo – as in the famous Variation no. 25, about 30% slower than usual – he always sustains the melody, that means it is not the tempo that makes the melody living, but the capacity to make it flow, to ‘connect’ sounds and silences).
- These Goldbergs are not told as a narrative: it is not a dramatic tale, but the architectural structure is well visible. It is not a story, it is a three-dimensional visual art work.
- Northern Star gave Minnaar the sound that perfectly matches his concept of the work. The rest is made by the unique Chris Maene piano.
A ‘Goldberg’ for the 21st Century.

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Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - October 16, 2022 (1 of 1)

Hannes Minnaar toured this piece at many venues before recording it with his signature "Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand". A video of one of these performances is on YouTube. The recording is a two disc set. Disc 1 is 81:58 minutes and disc 2 is 16:03 minutes. The recording won the Diapason d’Or 2022 and Edison Classical Award 2022 — Solo Instrumental Category. There are many positive reviews. All are listed on his website, https://www.hannesminnaar.com/recording/bach/. Bert van der Wolf was the sound engineer. I have the DXD 24/352.8 surround version from van der Wolf's website.

I really enjoyed the entire two disc set but was particularly impressed with disc 2. Minnaar writes, "Composer Daan Manneke composed a work especially for this tour, at my request, to serve as an anacrusis to the monument that is the Goldberg Variations. He entitled it Gedanken zu Bach..." His composition is on Disc 2. This is an excellent piece and now with this attention, maybe he will continue to compose solo piano works. Track 2, "Toccata primo" while brief is glorious. Listen to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WmVh0VzqRA.

If you enjoy the Goldberg Variations, you should consider adding this album to your collection.

Marcus DiBenedetto
Las Vegas, NV