Trevor Pinnock Recording Continues Glenn Gould School Partnership with the Royal Academy of Music

Published on September 22, 2023

Pinnock leads the highly-skilled young transatlantic ensemble in revealing ‘re-imaginings’ of Bach’s keyboard partitas by composer Thomas Oehler

Since 1886, The Royal Conservatory of Music has dedicated itself to advancing the transformative power of music and its mission to develop human potential, and since 1822, the Royal Academy of Music has inspired generations of musicians to connect, collaborate and create.

The recording of Bach’s partitas, commissioned by Academy Principal Jonathan Freeman-Attwood and released worldwide today, aligns with the missions of both organizations and reunites renowned harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock with students from the Royal Academy of Music and The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School who first collaborated together on the landmark recording of the Goldberg Variations (arr. for small orchestra by Józef Koffler).

The creative challenge of this recording for RAM alumnus composer Thomas Oehler was to bring a fresh perspective to some of Bach’s most elegant resourceful and refined keyboard writing. The wonderfully talented musicians of The Royal Academy of Music’s Soloist Ensemble along with students from The Glenn Gould School, led by Trevor Pinnock, reveal how Oehler’s faithful response to Bach’s score allows the music to glow as brightly as ever.

Listen Now BUY THE ALBUM

It is an honor and privilege to participate in such a wonderful collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music. This is a shining example of our students on the global stage, collaborating and sharing their talent with the best classical musicians and institutions in the world.

James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School

GGS students featured on the ““Bach Partitas re-imagined for small orchestra by Thomas Oehler” recording are:

Aaron Chan, violin (2022-23 Rebanks Fellow)
Tobias Elser, violin (2023-24 Rebanks Fellow and member of The Dior Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at The Glenn Gould School)
Caleb Georges, viola (2022-23 Rebanks Fellow and member of The Dior Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at The Glenn Gould School)
Noa Sarid, violin (2023-24 Rebanks Fellow and member of The Dior Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at The Glenn Gould School)
Joanne Yesol Choi, cello (2021-22 Rebanks Fellow and member of The Dior Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at The Glenn Gould School)

This is yet another seminal event in the partnership that The Royal Conservatory enjoys with the Royal Academy of Music. In addition to the recording of the Goldberg Variations, The Glenn Gould School is one of 12 music education institutions participating in the Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme.

Listen to Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829 (Re-imagined for Small Orchestra by Thomas Oehler) performed by Trevor Pinnock, Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble, and musicians from The Glenn Gould School.

Track listing

Partita No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825
1. Praeludium; 2. Allemande; 3. Corrente; 4. Sarabande; 5. Menuet I; 6. Menuet II; 7. Menuet I; 8. Gigue

Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826
9. Sinfonia; 10. Allemande; 11. Courante; 12. Sarabande; 13. Rondeaux; 14. Capriccio

Partita No. 5 in G major, BWV 829
15. Praeambulum; 16. Allemande; 17. Corrente; 18. Sarabande; 19. Tempo di Minuetta; 20.
Passepied; 21. Gigue

Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830
22. No. 3: Corrente
23. Brook of Light Thomas Oehler

TREVOR PINNOCK conductor
ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC SOLOISTS ENSEMBLE
with guests from
THE GLENN GOULD SCHOOL OF THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY, TORONTO