PlayPiano
The short answer
A turn into G minor within the Goldberg cycle. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.
- variations
- Baroque
- melancholic
Also known as Goldberg Variations - 21.
History
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21 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
An answer waits above descending support
One upper strand begins first while the other waits before replying, over descending bass steps. Listen for the offset between the upper entries.
Chromatic colour within the dialogue
Linked upper figures, held notes and rests overlap moving lower sequences with altered notes. Hear the changing colour without losing each strand.
The staggered entry returns
The second half again starts one upper strand before the other, above changed descending support. Recognise the delayed response in its new setting.
Running exchanges find a layered close
Late upper exchanges and low closing figures meet short upper G responses above a broken low G figure. Hear their separate routes toward the ending.
How to practise it
Moving contour above a held low note; later high entry overlaps the earlier texture.
- Listen for the low hold while practising the rising three notes; do not infer a single voice merely from the track label.
- Count the earlier motion and add the high entry gently, preserving the continuing low sound rather than replacing it.
How hard is it
The minor-key canon at the seventh combines closely overlapping lines with expressive harmonic tension.
About this piece
- Collection
- Themes transformed
- Licence
- Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
- Credit
- “Goldberg Variations - 21” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1403. 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
- Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
- Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro
