Michael Houstoun’s Goldberg standard

By Ian Dando In Classical

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28th April, 2012
Consigned to oblivion for 150 years, JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations is a popular work these days. Whether you prefer piano or the original two-manual harpsichord for a 75-minute work depends on your taste. I nail my colours to the mast in agreeing with pianist András Schiff’s pragmatism: “Hands on heart, can you listen to the harpsichord that long?” No, especially when sitting on very hard church pews, which is the fate of Christchurchians these days, with nearly all our standard concert venues reduced to rubble. Promoter Christopher Marshall, who has never allowed quakes ...

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