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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 8, 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 27 is a variations by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

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Also known as Goldberg Variations - 27.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27 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. The lower strand begins first

    The lower running cell starts while the upper voice rests, then the upper voice gives a related phrase. Listen for the delayed answer as part of the exchange.

  2. Moving and held replies trade places

    The two voices alternate continuous motion, shorter detached replies and held ornaments. Follow the dialogue without inventing a third supporting bass line.

  3. The upper strand leads the new half

    The second half reverses the entry order: upper motion begins while the lower voice waits before answering. Compare this exchange with the first opening.

  4. Different closing responses remain distinct

    The upper descent reaches an ornamented held G while the lower voice ends with its own shorter response. Hear both endings rather than expecting them to match.

How to practise it

Lower contour rises and returns; later higher contour with similar rising motion.

  1. Sing its rise and return slowly, using the longer initial and final notes as landmarks.
  2. Count the earlier contour and practise the later high entrance independently before combining both.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The canon at the ninth exposes two-line independence without relying on a separate bass accompaniment.

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 - 27” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1390. 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

Lower contour rises and returns; later higher contour with similar rising motion.

Practise it in PlayPiano