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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

One part of a keyboard project that culminated in 1741. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

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Also known as Goldberg Variations - 1.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 belongs to the Goldberg Variations. Bach-Archiv Leipzig places the cycle at the culmination of Bach's Clavier-Übung print project in 1741. The thirty variations explore a remarkable range of keyboard forms and contrapuntal designs: this selection is one part of that larger journey.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Flowing notes with answering support

    The upper line begins with a small neighbouring-note lead and flowing sixteenths. Listen for the lower eighth-note replies as a separate partner.

  2. The lower line takes the motion

    Running notes become more prominent below while the upper part leaves rests and wider replies. Notice the change of roles rather than always following the highest notes.

  3. A held gesture changes the entry

    A held upper A gesture begins the second repeated block. Hear its contrast with the running opening before the related phrases continue.

  4. A descent brings the lines together

    The closing upper descent meets continuing lower motion. Follow the direction of the long descent while keeping the smaller lower figures audible.

How to practise it

Short turns into tied eighths; lower register alternation.

  1. Practise the local turn into the held arrival rather than rushing the short approach.
  2. Practise the recurring low-to-high pattern softly and keep its duration changes clear.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

Lively figurations and changes of register require coordinated articulation and a stable pulse.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Johann Sebastian Bach, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Themes transformed
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Goldberg Variations - 1” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by JD Erickson. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=980. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. Changes to the supplied MIDI: none; disclose any later conversion or edit separately.

More by Johann Sebastian Bach

  1. Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
  2. Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Short turns into tied eighths; lower register alternation.

Practise it in PlayPiano