András Schiff performs Bach's Goldberg Variations

At the 2015 BBC Proms, the great András Schiff regales us with a "spellbinding," "buoyant," and "dazzling" interpretation (The Guardian) of one of the uncontested crown jewels of the piano repertoire. Bach's Goldberg Variations are notoriously difficult to execute, but Schiff — who has been performing and perfecting the set for decades — has both virtuosity and elegance in spades, captivating the Royal Albert Hall from first to last note of these 30 miniature masterpieces. "One can never get tired of it," says Schiff; "Bach’s freshness, spirituality, virtuosity and his variety of characters never fail to amaze me."

The Royal Albert Hall's grand proportions perfectly suit this piano monument while highlighting the closeness of the bond that must exist between composer and interpreter, underscoring "the quiet, concentrated integrity of Schiff’s approach" that won over Hugh Shirley of The Telegraph. All throughout the recital, the director accentuates the surgical precision of the legendary pianist's hands, as dizzying and graceful as a ballerina en pointe.