The motivation to create our own transcription of Bach’s Goldberg Variations for string trio is based on the need to be as close to the original text as possible. After having studied the transcription by Dmitry Sitkovetsky and the original text, we decided to tackle the great work, and newly distribute note by note from the original text to the three parts of the violin, the viola and the cello. As Dmitry Sitkovetsky’s transcription is a tribute to Glenn Gould’s legendary interpretation, all ornamentations are written out in the way that Glenn Gould played them. Above all, this gives the simple theme a very dense notation, which on the one hand diverts from the essential, on the other hand leaves too little space for freely handling the ornamentation. Moreover, we have made an effort to avoid any doubling, octavations or other additional means, which do, in fact, intensify the string trio sound volume, but would have challenged the logic of the part writing.
 
This is a very important release in that it couples two masterworks in versions for string trio, magnificently performed here by three of the finest young talents to have emerged in recent years. Bach's sublime Goldberg Variations and Alfred Schnittke's deeply moving String Trio (written for the Alban Berg centenary in 1985) makes a perfect coupling of great music in great performances. The recording quality and presentation is first-class.

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