George De Decker wrote the aria WIT IN WIT (White in White) on commission for the piano recital of 14 November 2017 in the Witte Zaal in deSingel (Antwerp, Belgium). After the performance by pianist Geert Callaert, the relationship of the aria with Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations became clear and led De Decker to the composition of the Variations on this album. Geert Callaert performs the programme on Maene’s Straight-Strung Piano.

Bach’s Goldberg Variations are canon, every pianist relates to this piece at one time or another. De Decker listened to and analysed a myriad of versions and arrangements before composing his own set of Variations. The result is a new composition for piano solo and audiotape, but essentially WIT IN WIT is a landscape, a fragile relief of tone, sound and silence. De Decker makes sound change into silence that is never empty, but in itself again becomes sound, designer and carrier of the music.

George De Decker studied piano and composition at the Royal Conservatories of Antwerp and Brussels, orchestra conducting at the Lemmens Institute Leuven and electronic music at the Institute for Psycho-acoustics and Electronic Music (IPEM) in Gent. In 2013, he won the composition contest “Music for Carparks”, organised by the Concert Hall Brugge and Interparking. George De Decker’s compositions include solo works (mostly with soundtrack), as well as works for large symphony orchestras and sound installations. He also composes for film, art documentaries, television, fiction, theatre, and dance. He has his own ensemble, “SP!TSBERGEN.” with 5 young, passionate musicians.