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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A turn into G minor within the Goldberg cycle. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • variations
  • Baroque
  • melancholic

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 15.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15 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. This is one of the cycle's G-minor variations, a distinct change of tonal colour within the larger design.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A descending start and an ascending answer

    One upper strand begins while the other rests, then answers with an ascending gesture. Listen for the contrast in direction between the entries.

  2. Rests make room within the dialogue

    Upper rests, held notes and short replies overlap an independently moving bass. Hear the spaces as part of the exchange, not missing sound.

  3. The delayed entry returns

    At the second-half opening, the first upper strand waits again while the other strand and bass begin. Recognise the familiar offset in the changed phrase.

  4. A spacious layered ending

    The upper strands end differently above a low G in the bass. Listen for the space around the final upper response rather than forcing all layers into identical endings.

How to practise it

Repeated pitches stepping downward; held low-register pitch under a higher entry.

  1. Sing one note for each pair first, then restore the repetitions with a gentle descending phrase shape.
  2. Practise retaining 62 while the higher pitches enter, without interpreting the track as a guaranteed physical hand.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The minor-key canon at the fifth requires controlled sustained lines, contrapuntal balance and patient 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 - 15” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1389. 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

Repeated pitches stepping downward; held low-register pitch under a higher entry.

Practise it in PlayPiano