Very Varied Variations
Uri Caine's take on Bach's "Goldberg Variations" includes a bundle of extra ones. Such as the "Dig It Variation," the "Stuttering Variation," and the "Tango Variation." And his arrangements include not only piano and harpsichord, but also bassoon, baroque trumpet, Hammond organ, guitar, tuba and a DJ's turntables.

The purists are moaning, those that aren't already spinning in their graves. Uri Caine has reimagined one of Bach's immortal "Goldberg Variations" as a bossa nova.

Caine, a well-regarded jazz musician, has increasingly become known for his take on the pieces, which he first recorded a couple of years ago and recently performed at New York's Alice Tully Hall.

His other variations include the "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, the "Stomp," the "Hallelujah," the "Luther's Nightmare," and the "Jaybird Lounge" variations. The arrangements also include vocals, poetry, electronics, drums, recorder, flute, clarinet, lute, bass, viola da gamba, violin, cello, saxophone, accordion, trombone, a choir and a string quartet.

Jeremy Eichler of the New York Times (April 20, 2003) says Caine's variations sometimes quote Bach, but sometimes "catapult into ambient music, drum-and-bass, DJ-powered remixes, rave-worthy hypnotic grooves, computerized gibberish, drinking songs, swinging six-piece combo numbers and so on."

But wasn't Bach himself an eclectic? He did incorporate the various regional dance traditions into his music; the tango just hadn't made it to his neighborhood yet.

On J. S. Bach’s official web site we find Pedro Gomes Soares, speaking on behalf of the late composer (1685-1750), declaring that it is a "delight and a true tribute to Bach."

Visit Uri Caine at his web site, including a feature on his Goldberg project

Read an extended interview of Uri Caine in All About Jazz

Visit the J.S. Bach web site

Listen to audio excerpts and read customer reviews at Amazon.com

Read the New York Times article [fee required]