Paul Janes - pianist

The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, is a musical composition for keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations. First published in 1741, it is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may also have been the first performer of the work.

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Paul Janes

Raised in Hampshire, Paul Janes has lived in Manchester since first arriving in 1986 as a student at the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University. He has since forged a varied career in performing, teaching and examining, and as a pianist he is known for his versatility and musical sensitivity.

Since the 1990s he has worked regularly as a freelance orchestral pianist, particularly with the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic, often featuring in prominent solo parts including Stravinsky’s ‘Petrushka’ and Percy Grainger’s ‘The Warriors’. He has performed concertos with, amongst others, the BBC Philharmonic and London Mozart Players, and worked as a soloist with conductors such as Yan Pascal Tortelier, Richard Hickox and Leonard Slatkin.

As a solo pianist Paul specializes in the Viennese Classical School and in early 20th century French

music, but has explored all corners of the repertoire from Scarlatti through to George Crumb.

Paul has a particular love of chamber music and ensemble performance, and over the years has worked with many outstanding musicians, including Steven Osborne, Rebecca Gilliver, Roderick Williams, Simon Rowland-Jones, Marcia Crayford, Moray Welsh, Adam Walker, the Carducci and Piatti Quartets and Joshua Ellicott, and frequently collaborates with Manchester-based musicians including the Chagall Ensemble and flautist Laura Jellicoe. He has also performed regularly with the contemporary ensemble Psappha, including a centenary performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire in 2012 and an appearance at the Cheltenham International Festival.  Recent projects have included a disc of instrumental music by Edward Gregson on the Naxos label (released in April 2021).

Paul has been a member of the teaching staff at the RNCM since 1993, and is an examiner, trainer and moderator for Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music. He is the proud owner of a 1907 Steinway Model ‘O’ grand.