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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 9, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A turn into G minor within the Goldberg cycle. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.

On this page
  • variations
  • Baroque
  • melancholic

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 25.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 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. Chromatic decoration shapes the opening

    Small chromatic turns, appoggiaturas and tied upper notes form the opening above separate lower replies. Hear the decorations within the longer melodic line.

  2. The lower strands continue through a pause

    Upper rests leave the lower voices moving before renewed decoration expands into longer runs. Follow that continuity rather than stopping the phrase whenever the top rests.

  3. A decorated entry renews the dialogue

    The second repeated region changes the pitch level of the ornamented upper phrases. Listen for the active inner replies beneath the familiar kind of decoration.

  4. A descent leads to different endings

    Long descending upper runs lead to distinct continuing and closing lower responses. Hear which ending invites a repeat and which settles with upper G and rests.

How to practise it

Distinguish the upper ornaments from the broad lower punctuation.

  1. Sing the B-flat destination first; insert the grace and appoggiatura gesture at a slow tempo while preserving its arrival.
  2. Practise the lower B-flat and its rest alone, then play the D/C/B-flat return quietly.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

Chromatic melodic detail, ornaments and sustained inner voices demand exceptional balance and expressive timing.

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 - 25” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1419. 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

Distinguish the upper ornaments from the broad lower punctuation.

Practise it in PlayPiano