Pianist Lara Downes looks at the Goldberg “13 Ways”

Posted by shiragilbert on

August 5, 2011

This fall, Steinway Concert Artist Lara Downes will release 13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg, a set of 13 new variations re-imagining Bach’s magnificent Aria from the Goldberg Variations, composed by some of America’s brightest living composers including David Del Tredici, Jennifer Higdon, Lukas Foss, Bright Sheng and William Bolcom. Known for redefining the solo recital with visionary, cutting-edge performances at venues worldwide, Lara takes a multifaceted modern look at the work Bach originally intended as a diversion for an insomniac patron. Performing at the Portland International Piano Festival this summer, The Oregnian called the performance “captivating” and “electric … Downes traversed a half-dozen of the new variations with an incisive touch … she brought focus to Higdon’s restructuring, Sheng’s rhythms and Foss’s harmonic diversions.”