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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 8, 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 11 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

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  • variations
  • Baroque
  • dancing

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 11.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11 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. Descending cells meet a mobile answer

    The upper opening descends above held lower support and a moving response. Hear the direction of the upper shape without losing the answer below.

  2. Running arches trade places

    The two parts alternate running arches with held sounds. Follow the active line as its role moves from one part to the other.

  3. A rest leaves room for a new start

    The second half begins with an upper rest while lower ascending cells lead in. Let the lower entry speak before the upper response joins.

  4. A wide ascent finds the close

    Late ascending figures lead into shorter closing responses and fermata-marked notes. Hear the larger rise before the final settling.

How to practise it

Descending short line into a long arrival; lower descent during the higher hold.

  1. Practise the descending outline evenly and count the longer arrival through its full span.
  2. Listen to the held 61 while rehearsing the lower descent, making the transfer audible without creating a new attack on the hold.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Rapid compound-meter figuration needs evenness, fluid coordination and controlled phrase momentum.

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 - 11” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1409. 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

Descending short line into a long arrival; lower descent during the higher hold.

Practise it in PlayPiano