Johann Sebastian Bach - Goldberg Variations (Asya Fateyeva; Andreas Borregaard; Eckart Runge)

Information

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

• Goldberg-Variationen, BWV 988

Asya Fateyeva, saxophone

Andreas Borregaard, accordion

Eckart Runge, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Berlin Classics

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For Asya Fateyeva, Eckart Runge, and Andreas Borregaard, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations represented a lifelong musical dream that long seemed unattainable, as the work was composed for harpsichord and later popularized on piano. By adapting this polyphonic masterpiece for an unconventional trio of saxophone, cello, and accordion—instruments nonexistent or unassociated with the work during Bach's era—the trio reimagines a familiar musical landscape in an entirely new light. This innovative instrumentation transforms the timeless piece into an ongoing, evolving journey of discovery, bringing a long-held artistic dream to fruition with a fresh and illuminating brilliance.

Born in Crimea in 1990, classical saxophonist Asya Fateyeva is an exceptional talent dedicated to integrating her instrument into the core classical repertoire through extensive performances and innovative arrangements of Baroque, Classical, and Romantic works. Blending Russian expressive traditions with the French saxophone school, she studied under prominent mentors like Daniel Gauthier and completed advanced chamber music training in Hamburg. Fateyeva has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including top prizes at the International Adolphe Sax Competition and the German Music Competition. An experienced ensemble player and former member of the Alliage Quintet, she performs globally with elite orchestras, makes regular festival appearances, and has taught at the Musikhochschule Münster since 2014.

Born in Allerød, Denmark, accordionist Andreas Borregaard is a prominent soloist, chamber musician, and educator dedicated to expanding his young instrument's repertoire and expressive palette. Through extensive collaborations with European composers, Borregaard has actively pioneered a vast body of performative works that challenge and redefine the boundaries of a musician's physical involvement on stage. This innovative trajectory was central to his artistic research PhD project, “Just Do It! – exploring the musician’s use of bodily performance,” completed at the Norwegian Academy of Music (2018–2023). Currently, Borregaard serves as the accordion professor at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover.

Born in Heidelberg, Eckart Runge is a highly versatile cellist who established his international career through major competition wins in Cremona, Geneva, and Munich. For three decades, Runge anchored the world-renowned Artemis Quartet, recording award-winning albums for Warner/Erato. In 2019, he departed to pursue diverse solo projects, particularly his cross-genre passion for converging classical music with jazz, rock, and film. This exploration is highlighted by his 25-year partnership with Duo Runge&Ammon and his award-winning solo debut album. Runge frequently collaborates with prominent ensembles, teaches as a professor at the Robert Schumann Hochschule, and plays a 1710 Matteo Goffriller cello.