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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26

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 26 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 - 26.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26 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 running stream above slower support

    The upper running stream sounds against slower held and dotted lower notes. Hear both layers clearly without forcing their written groupings into one identical rhythm.

  2. The running role moves below

    The lower strand takes the running motion while the upper voices give held and dotted replies. Follow the change of roles rather than always following the top.

  3. A late lower entry changes the balance

    The lower running stream re-enters beneath shorter upper replies late in the second region. Notice how the moving foundation changes the texture.

  4. Interrupted gestures find separate arrivals

    Short attacks, rests and held closing sounds interrupt both running streams. Listen for the releases and the separate staff arrivals without assuming one global written meter.

How to practise it

Keep the explicitly scaled upper pattern distinct from the lower quarter-note pulse.

  1. Practise the six-note contour evenly in its source rhythmic grouping; combine it with the lower pulse only after normal notation/performance mapping.
  2. Tap the lower quarter pulse, then play its rest and eighth entry precisely before adding the upper contour.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

Contrasting rhythmic groupings and rapid figuration require independent coordination without disrupting the larger pulse.

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 - 26” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1446. 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 the explicitly scaled upper pattern distinct from the lower quarter-note pulse.

Practise it in PlayPiano