Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations
The storied Hotel Waldhaus in Sils-Maria becomes the setting for an extraordinary recital: Alexey Botvinov, the most celebrated Ukrainian pianist of his generation, takes on Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations. Honoured as a 'People's Artist of Ukraine' and recipient of the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy and the Swiss Wilhelm Tell Award, Botvinov is also the artistic director of the Odessa Classics festival. No other pianist is said to have performed the Goldberg Variations as frequently — over 300 times, across nearly 50 countries.
Switzerland holds a special resonance in his biography: a regular guest of the Zurich Ballet from 1996 to 2012, the country became his second home following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This recital, which came about through a connection with the Hesse-Tage, carries an added dimension of generosity: Botvinov waives his fee entirely, with all proceeds from the collection going to the Stiftung Kultur im Waldhaus in support of young musical talent.
