Piano: Fazıl Say Plays Bach’s “Goldberg Variations”

Johann Sebastian Bach
Goldberg-Variationen BWV 988

Intermission

Fazıl Say
Yeni hayat sonatı (Neues Leben Sonate) op. 99

Fazıl Say
Nazim op. 12 Nr. 1

Fazıl Say
Ses op. 40b

Fazıl Say
Kumru op. 12 Nr. 2

Fazıl Say
Wintermorgen in Istanbul op. 51c

Fazıl Say
Kara Toprak (Black Earth) op. 8

Fazıl Say
Summertime Variations op. 20

Fazıl Say
Alla Turca Jazz op. 5b

Fazıl Say
Paganini Jazz op. 5c

For Fazıl Say, Bach’s Goldberg Variations are a lifelong journey of discovery. Bach’s subtle compositional craft unfurls – from a meditative, lyrical theme – 30 variations, each a unique character piece. “My interpretation is meant to convey the singular song, the dance, the story in each part of the work,” Say explains. As a composer, he bridges Western and Turkish music traditions, blending heritage and innovation. After the Goldberg Variations, we hear a selection of his own works.