“These new performances from Musica Alta Ripa are excellent. Beautifully played and recorded, this is a welcome and long overdue introduction to an unfamiliar composer. Recommended.” --BBC Music Magazine
Johann Gottlieb Goldberg (1727-1756) is supposed to have been something of an oddball. Some regarded him as being depressive; he himself had a pathological loathing for his own works, some of which he destroyed, terming them "poor trifles for ladies”.
This release proves the composer wrong! These are the well crafted compositions of a master. For more than 20 years the ensemble Musica Alta Ripa has set the standard in the performance of early music. The recordings of the trio sonatas and quartet for two violins, viola, and basso continuo are premiere recordings
Johann Gottlieb Goldberg is today primarily remembered because of Bach's 'Goldberg Variations', a composition based on one of his themes. Born in 1727, Goldberg was one of Bach's most gifted pupils. He was sent to study with the great master at the age of fourteen, after being discovered by Count Keyserling during one of the latter's trips between Russia and Saxony. The boy's enthusiasm helped his musical training no end and he was son making progress by leaps and bounds.
In a short period of time, he flourished into a musician of exceptional virtuosity, and in the field of harpsichord concertos he became the foremost German composer of the mid 18th century. Although he died prematurely in 1756, he managed to attain a phenomenal reputation. He is said to have performed some of the most taxing pieces with consummate ease, not only at first sight, but also when the manuscript was turned upside down.
Although his style reminds one of C.P.E. Bach's keyboard concertos, his individual voice is strongly evident in the abrupt shifts between deep emotion and humour. The two concertos on this disc feature many trailblazing aspects and their exploration of new musical dimensions puts them at the very forefront of the composer's oeuvre.
Waldemar Döling captures all the brilliance and passion of these works in magisterial interpretations of unique versatility. Alas he is no longer with us, but this historic 1985 digital recording is a wonderful testimony to his art as performer not only as a harpsichordist but also as a renowned percussionist. Orchestra and conductor also offer sympathetic support. --classicalnet
