Programme
J.S Bach (1685-1750)
Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Consisting of an aria with diverse variations for harpsichord with two manuals
Aria
Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 2. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 3. Canone all'Unisuono a 1 Clav.
Variatio 4. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 5. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 7. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav. al tempo di Giga
Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 9. Canone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 10. Fughetta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 11. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 15. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 16. Ouverture. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 19. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 22. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 24. Canone all’Ottava. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 25. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 29. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.
Aria
Performer
Nathaniel Mander, Harpsichord
Programme Notes
Bach's Goldberg Variations have become an iconic monument in Western music. On one level they are simply a beautiful piece of keyboard music and yet on another, a masterpiece of invention and architecture, emotionally encompassing all that it means to be human. Nathaniel is delighted to be coming to the Valletta Festival to perform this much loved work, a piece he has come to be associated with since his much acclaimed recording of 2020.
Biography
Nathaniel Mander, born in England in 1989, is an early keyboard specialist known for his expressive, elegant and virtuosic style. His most recent recording, a performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations received brilliant reviews across the board, and he was awarded the highest accolade: a 10 star review by Dutch specialist classical music magazine Luister. Nathaniel has devoted himself to the instruments and style of the 18th century after hearing the harpsichord on the radio in his youth. He was entranced by the sound and inspired by the bold and brilliant style of the Baroque and Rococo periods. He started having lessons with Richard Lester in Cirencester where he gave his first solo recitals in his teens, before moving to London to train at the Royal Academy of Music with Carole Cerasi.
He is now recognised as one of the leading keyboard artists of his generation and has performed across the world as both harpsichordist and fortepianist. Alongside his poetic and passionate performances, he always enjoys introducing the music that he plays in his own personal, light style.
Nathaniel has released on his website a series of teaching videos that he originally created for the Japanese Early Music organisation ‘Académie de Cour’. He is delighted to be currently studying Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier for the 2026/27 season.