Burkard Schliessmann’s “Goldberg” Variations to be re-issued by Divine Art

Among today’s most gifted pianists, few attract such intense praise and acclamation as Burkard Schliessmann. While not yet perhaps a household name internationally, his concerts and recordings continually receive the most glowing reviews and media attention.

In the last few months alone he has been the subject of special features several times in Fanfare (USA) and International Piano (most recently, a 9-page digital special (2021); and in Pianist UK and Pianist (Germany/Netherlands/Belgium, 2021) and he has garnered a host of awards including three silver medals at the Global Music Awards 2017 and a two Gold Medals as Awards of Excellence in 2018.  His Chopin also resulted in Burkard being a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards – a fantastic achievement for a classical musician in this pop-driven event.  Most recently Burkard was awarded the Goethe Plaque (2019/20) by the City of Frankfurt-am-Main.  The Goethe-Plakette is commended to “poets, writers, artists and scientists and other personalities of the cultural life […] who, through their creative work, are worthy of a tribute dedicated to the memory of Goethe.”

Since 2015 Burkard Schliessmann has been recording for Divine Art; following his albums of music by Chopin and Bach, and the recent (September 2021) album ‘From the Heart of the Piano’ which has been incredibly well-received, Divine Art is now to re-issue Schliessmann’s recording of Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variations’, originally released (on physical disc only) by Bayer in 2007.

On its original appearance, this recording was picked as one of MusicWeb International’s Recordings of the Year with comments such as “German pianist Burkard Schliessmann charts new territory in the Goldbergs, characterizing musical phrases like conversations amongst warm, human characters. Far from the flair of young Gould, the serenity of old Gould, the severity of Tureck, or the drama of Perahia, this is the most humane Goldberg I’ve ever heard.” The disc was also included in the Critics’ Choice 2008 by American Record Guide (“Schliessmann’s overall conception and realization of Bach’s last great keyboard work has so much distinction …”).

Scheduled for release in the summer (exact date to be advised) of 2022, this will be a double multi-channel SACD / hybrid stereo CD and will for the first time be available in digital formats including High Definition Dolby Atmos audio and Apple Digital Mastering.  High-Definition Audio mastering is taking place in March/April 2022 by Teldex Studios in Berlin, which also produced the original SACD recording in 2007.

Album details:

Label : Divine Art
Catalogue number: DDC 25754
Format: Multichannel SACD / Hybrid CD and all major digital formats
Artist: Burkard Schliessmann (piano)
Album program:  J S Bach, Aria with Diverse Variations, BWV 988
(“The Goldberg Variations”)
Release date to be announced – between July and September 2022
Original recording 2007 – HD remastering 2022

Burkard Schliessmann on Divine Art