Goldberg Variations - Transcribed and Popularized Versions

Transcribed and Popularized Versions

The Goldberg Variations have been reworked freely by many performers, changing either the instrumentation, the notes, or both. Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni prepared a massively altered transcription for piano. According to art critic Michael Kimmelman, "Busoni shuffled the variations, skipping some, then added his own rather voluptuous coda to create a three-movement structure; each movement has a distinct, arcing shape, and the whole becomes a more tightly organized drama than the original." Other arrangements include:

• 1883 – Josef Rheinberger, transcription for two pianos, Op. 3 (rev. Max Reger)
• 1912 – K. Eichler, transcription for piano four hands
• 1938 – Józef Koffler, transcription for orchestra / string orchestra
• 1975 – Charles Ramirez and Helen Kalamuniak, transcription for two guitars
• 1984 – Dmitry Sitkovetsky, transcription for string trio (he has also made an arrangement for string orchestra)
• 1987 – Jean Guillou, transcription for organ
• 1991 – Joel Spiegelman, transcribed to synthesizer by
• 1997 – József Eötvös, transcription for guitar
• 2000 – Jacques Loussier, arrangement for jazz trio
• 2003 – Karlheinz Essl („Gold.Berg.Werk“) for string trio and live-electronics
• 2009 – Catrin Finch, complete transcription for harp
• 2010 – Federico Sarudiansky, arrangement for string trio
• 2011 – James Strauss, complete transcription for flute and harpsichord or flute and piano