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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 9, 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 23 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.

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Also known as Goldberg Variations - 23.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23 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. Wide figures exchange directions

    The main strands exchange broad rising and falling figures, separated by short responses. Follow the direction of each figure while leaving the gaps audible.

  2. Ornaments interrupt the moving texture

    Lower ornaments and separated upper cells briefly gain an extra inner voice. Notice the added sound without mistaking its later rests for a gap in the whole piece.

  3. An ornamented new entry

    The second half combines detached upper ornaments with added low repeated notes and quick interrupted replies. Listen for the new balance of moving and repeated sounds.

  4. Fuller support brings the close

    Paired upper replies gain more active lower repeated support before the final linked gestures. Hear the texture become fuller, then release into the closing rests.

How to practise it

Keep each descending strand clear when their entrances overlap.

  1. Count the rest and G eighth, then play the descending eight-note contour as one phrase.
  2. Learn the lower descent alone, then combine its first four notes with the upper rest and G entrance.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

Brilliant overlapping figuration and changing registers require agility, evenness and careful piano coordination.

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 - 23” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1418. 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

Keep each descending strand clear when their entrances overlap.

Practise it in PlayPiano