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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18

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 18 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 - 18.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18 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 held inner sound, then an upper entry

    The alto begins with a long note while the soprano waits before its held G entry. Listen for the moving bass beneath both.

  2. Long sounds overlap shorter replies

    The upper sustained notes alternate with brief replies above independent bass figures. Keep the long sounds present as the shorter ones enter.

  3. A higher entry renews the pattern

    The second half places the held soprano entry higher while retaining its delayed arrival. Hear the familiar entry pattern above changed support.

  4. An active bass supports the final sounds

    The bass moves through its closing response beneath the last held upper G and B sounds. Follow the lower arrival as the upper layer settles.

How to practise it

Held soprano with rests; different alto durations.

  1. Count the silent half and sustain the later ties without repeating their attacks.
  2. Practise the alto timing separately rather than assuming it follows the soprano releases.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The canon at the sixth needs independence between imitative lines and the supporting part.

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 - 18” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Benjamin D. Esham. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1076. 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

Held soprano with rests; different alto durations.

Practise it in PlayPiano