Simone Dinnerstein: Berlin Concert to continue Goldberg fairytale

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein is only two months away from releasing the much-anticipated follow-up to her bestselling debut. According to a special minisite created to support the record, “The Berlin Concert” will be released in August of this year and everyone willing to take the time to fill out a short online form will be granted free download of three tracks. If you’re hesitant to surrender personal information such as your phone number, don’t worry: Simply entering a couple of 0’s will do just as well and you’ll automatically be given the link to check out Bach’s “Gavotte” from his “French Suite No. 5” as well as Twelve Variations on a Chorale by J. S. Bach “Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott” (Cantata 101) (2001) by Philip Lasser (a world premiere recording). From what we’ve heard, the production quality of the „Berlin Concert“ is second to none and just as clear, transparent and warm as Simone Dinnerstein’s take on the „Goldberg Variations“. The story to that album is, of course, by now a sort of 21st century fairytale: Pianist still hasn’t made her breakthrough, finances recording sessions herself, sells out Carnegie Hall, signs with prestigious label and enters the US classical charts at Number one. “The Berlin Concert”, which continues to highlight her meditative sound and soft touch is now poised to continue the success story.

Next to tthe “French Suite” and the “Variations”, “The Berlin Concert” will furthermore feature Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor” as well as the 13th variation of the Goldberg Variations as its grand finale. The CD was recorded at the Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie in Berlin on November 22, 2007 and is to be regarded as a tribute to the continuing influence of Bach on later generations of composers. "So much music written since Bach has been influenced by him, and the Beethoven and the Lasser are no exceptions”, Simone Dinnerstein remarked, “Lasser's writing is intricately crafted and encompasses a range of styles, from a contrapuntal energy reminiscent of Bach, to French Impressionism and even jazz. Beethoven's Opus 111 sounds surprisingly contemporary in this company. The first movement looks ahead to Liszt and the second movement, with its set of variations on a chorale-like arietta, looks back to Bach and ahead to jazz. All three works are densely layered, but also have a sense of freedom and directness of expression. Though they span almost 300 years, in many ways, to me, they each feel grounded in the present.”

The release party for “The Berlin Concert” has been scheduled for August 28th at the New York club and “multimedia art cabaret” “Le Poisson Rouge”. And for those unwilling or unable to wait, the very same space offers a different Dinnerstein.concert on June 13th. Again featuring the Goldberg, Simone will combine them with George Crumb's “Eine Kleine Mitternachtmusik” (based on a Thelonious Monk tune) and perform on the same bill with Singer/Songwriter Essie Jain – another testimony to her interest in a contemporary presentation of her music.

If even that’s too far away, here’s another short clip of Simone Dinnerstein talking about the Goldberg Variations: