Richard Goode

Bach left Köthen in 1723 to become cantor at the Thomaskirche in the more prestigious Leipzig. In addition to his religious tasks he also had to teach and write for the choir school, the university and for non-religious occasions. It was also there that he started publishing his work, which he had hardly done before then. The opus 1 of his published works was the six partitas for keyboard. 'Partita' is a synonym for suite or group of dance movements in the same key. In the hands of the pianist of pianists, Richard Goode, Bach's partitas on a modern Steinway become crystal-clear jewels. His recent recording of these pieces became the new definitive version throughout the world as soon as they were issued. To complement the Sixth Partita he chose Bach's Third French Suite, pavanes and galliards by Byrd, a sonata by Haydn and Beethoven's superb 'Lebewohl Sonata', better known as 'Les Adieux': sublime programmatic music on farewells and reunions. Knowing that Richard Goode is one of the greatest Beethoven interpreters, this recital will appeal to many a music-lover.