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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13

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 13 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 - 13.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13 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. A decorated line above independent support

    Tied upper notes, turns and small ornaments form the singing opening. Hear that line above the held inner support and separate bass steps.

  2. Decoration grows into running motion

    Long decorated notes expand into connected short-note figures while the lower voices continue independently. Follow the expansion without losing the underlying melodic direction.

  3. The singing entry returns at a new level

    The second half renews the ornamented upper phrases above changed lower responses. Compare the shape of the entry with the first half.

  4. Descending replies meet a layered close

    Decorated upper descents lead toward the last held sound and fuller lower sonority. Listen for the independent voices arriving together.

How to practise it

Decorated short upper line; slower inner entrance and ties.

  1. Read the longer melodic skeleton before adding its small local decoration.
  2. Count the delayed inner entrance and preserve the longer tie beneath the moving line.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

Ornamented melodic writing above quieter support requires precise releases and expressive pacing.

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 - 13” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1411. 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

Decorated short upper line; slower inner entrance and ties.

Practise it in PlayPiano