Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Goldberg variations BWV 988 AriaVariation I
Rolf Rudin (geb. 1961) Dialogue with Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Variation VIIV ariation VIII Variation IX Variation X
Andreas Tarkmann (geb. 1956) Goldberg’s last summer
Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann)Variation XIII
Konstantia Gourzi (geb. 1962) Lullabies for a Wind flower Lullabies for Jasmine
Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Variation XVI
Daniel Sundy (geb. 1973) New Goldberg Variations Heaven or Hell The Elements The Moocher Metal Quodlibet
Break Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Variation IXX
Wolf Kerschek (geb. 1969) Goldberg Reflections
Aria
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Variation XXI Variation XXII Variation XXV Variation XXIX Variation XXX
Stephan Koncz (geb. 1984) GoldBergHain (Quodlibet on "Kraut und Rüben haben mich vertrieben")
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) (Arr. A. N. Tarkmann) Aria
Performers
Niklas Liepe, Violin
Nils Liepe, Cembalo/Piano
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Programme Notes
Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations – originally written for harpsichord – meet the 21st century: violinist Niklas Liepe presents a fascinating reinterpretation of Bach's masterpiece with arrangements by Andreas N. Tarkmann and 16 contemporary reflections for violin and string orchestra. With contributions from Wolf Kerschek, Rolf Rudin, Konstantia Gourzi, Stephan Koncz, Daniel Sundy and others, an extraordinary sound panorama emerges between baroque structure, jazzy freedom and atmospheric sound presence. An evening between tradition and new beginnings – visionary and polyphonic.
Biographies
Niklas Liepe
Niklas Liepe is a recipient of the Opus Klassik award and is recognised as one of the most distinctive artistic voices of his generation. With his deep roots in the classical repertoire, he combines tradition with bold, innovative concepts. His internationally acclaimed Paganini Project invited twenty composers to reimagine Paganini’s Caprices, providing them with newly orchestrated accompaniments ranging from jazz to tango.
His discography with Sony Classical includes four albums, including #GoldbergReflections (winner of the 2021 Opus Klassik award) and a recording of Rachel Portman’s Violin Concerto, which was composed for him and premiered at the Beethovenfest Bonn with the WDR Funkhausorchester. His most recent album, released in 2025, features Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto performed with the NDR Radiophilharmonie under the direction of Joseph Bastian, marking another milestone in his career.
Highlights of the 2025/26 season include debuts at the Schubertiade, Munich’s Isarphilharmonie and Düsseldorf’s Tonhalle, as well as appearances in Vienna, Paris and at the Rheingau Music Festival. In June 2025, the release of his fourth album with Sony is followed by engagements with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz (performing Portman’s concerto), the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. November 2025 will see a major tour of Germany featuring works by Mendelssohn and Handel in an innovative production incorporating AI avatars, directed by Raphael Merlin. Concerts will be held at prestigious venues such as the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Laeiszhalle Hamburg. This is followed by an Asia tour, including the regional premiere of Portman’s concerto in Bangkok.
A winner of numerous competitions, including the German Music Competition and the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, Liepe has studied with Krzysztof Wegrzyn, Zakhar Bron, Ana Chumachenco and Mihaela Martin. Since 2022, he has been a lecturer in “Art Participation & Strings Diversity” at the University of Music and Performing Arts Hamburg.
Nils Liepe
The multi-award-winning German pianist Nils Liepe, born in 1987, studied in Hannover, Cologne and Vienna. His teachers included the renowned professors Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, Vladimir Krainev, and Pavel Gililov.
In 2017, Nils Liepe and his brother founded Liepe & Co. Festival at the Stahlhallen am Südbahnhof in Hannover.
During the 2025/26 season, Liepe will perform at venues including the Rudolfinum in Prague, the Tonhalle Düsseldorf, the NDR Hannover broadcasting hall, and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. Nils Liepe has won numerous national and international prizes: These include the International Grotrian-Steinweg Piano Competition, which he won, and the German Music Competition, which he and his brother Niklas Liepe won in 2017.
He has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist with artists such as András Schiff, Christoph Koncz, Patrick Hahn, Raphaela Gromes and Yoo-Chang Nah in Europe and Asia. He has recorded for Sony Classical with the WDR Funkhausorchester, the NDR Radiophilharmonie and the Deutsche Radiophilharmonie. Such artistic personalities as András Schiff and Paul Badura-Skoda are impressed by the pianist's virtuosity and beautiful sound. In addition to his impeccable technical and stylistic skills, concert critics repeatedly emphasise that he captivates audiences by impressively interpreting works and transporting them to a better world with his 'musical stories'.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
For over half a century, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has been at the
heart of Malta’s musical life. Established in 1968 by musicians from the former
Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet Band, it began as the Manoel Theatre
Orchestra and later became the National Orchestra of Malta in 1997. In 2008, it
was elevated to the status of a full symphony orchestra under its current name,
bringing together Malta’s finest musicians alongside distinguished performers
from across Europe and beyond.
As Malta’s only professional orchestra, the MPO presents over one concert each
week, ranging from symphonic performances and opera productions to
community outreach projects, educational initiatives, and concerts of lighter
music. Its schedule also features monthly chamber concerts. The orchestra has
performed in prestigious venues across the United States, Russia, Germany,
Austria, China, Belgium, Italy, and beyond. In 2025, the MPO was invited to the
renowned Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, where it presented the opera
Hadrian
.
Dedicated to nurturing Maltese musical culture, the MPO regularly performs and
commissions works by Maltese composers. Through the Malta Youth Orchestra, it
also fosters the training and professional growth of emerging musicians,
ensuring the continued vibrancy of Malta’s orchestral tradition.