The Bulkley Valley Concert Association is proud to welcome back Sarah Hagen to our Smithers stage, performing The Goldberg Variations!

Sarah Hagen is bringing Bach’s formidable Goldberg Variations to the Della Herman as part of the celebration of the recent release of her recording of the masterwork. Cherished by many, the Goldberg Variations are emblematic of keyboard virtuosity, rich expression, and hardcore classical interpretation. Sarah will offer a short introduction to this marvellous and intense piece before playing the full work with her signature style that is full of joy and passion.

"Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen’s Goldberg Variations are dramatically different. Naysayers and refusniks beware: her approach combines unfettered joy, wide awake with wonder, requisite pedagogy, and the ability to make the instrument bend to her will…Hagen’s performance combines vivid precision of touch with perfect articulation of line, making her Goldberg Variations something to absolutely die for." - Whole Note Magazine

“Sarah Hagen is one of the most expressive piano players that I have ever seen perform,” says Miriam Colvin, Artistic Director of BVCA. “We presented Sarah in 2017. I remember being mesmerized, I was torn between gazing at her hands moving like effortless lightning as she played and closing my eyes to be transported by her playing.” Sarah Hagen was scheduled to return to Smithers in 2020, but performances were canceled due to the pandemic.  Sarah released an album of Goldberg Variations in 2021. BVCA immediately jumped at the new chance to bring her Goldberg interpretations to our community.

Sarah Hagen has received many awards for her artistry.  Her interpretations have been described as "outstandingly inventive,"  ”played flawlessly.” Her extensive touring has taken her across Canada, to Sweden, France, Germany and Italy, and twice to New York City’s Carnegie Hall.