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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24

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 24 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

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  • Baroque
  • dancing

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 24.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24 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 singing line waits for its answer

    The first upper phrase sings above an independent bass before the other upper strand joins. Listen to the space between those related entries.

  2. Rests change which strand leads

    The inner phrases continue as the first upper line becomes detached and then rests. Keep following the continuing strand instead of hearing those rests as complete silence.

  3. The order of entries reverses

    The second half begins with a long ornamented inner A while the first upper strand waits. Compare this reversal with the opening exchange.

  4. A delayed return meets the close

    The inner strand returns later while detached upper replies and lower motion settle toward G. Hear the separate entries gather into the final response.

How to practise it

Mixed groups and held arrival; later second voice and staff changes.

  1. Practise the shorter approach as part of the longer phrase arrival.
  2. Track the entered voice as one line across its staff notation; no hand-switch instruction is implied.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The canon at the octave needs independently shaped lines and a stable compound-meter flow.

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 - 24” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1404. 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

Mixed groups and held arrival; later second voice and staff changes.

Practise it in PlayPiano