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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3

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

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Also known as Goldberg Variations - 3.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3 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. Wait for the answering entry

    The first upper strand begins before the second joins with related material. Hear the initial idea clearly, then listen for its delayed partner.

  2. Long notes and moving replies

    Held dotted notes overlap shorter moving figures above independent bass motion. Listen through the held sounds as the replies continue around them.

  3. The delayed exchange starts again

    The second half renews the entry on A, with the other upper strand again waiting before answering. Compare this exchange with the opening.

  4. Three strands reach a broad close

    Both upper strands and the independent bass settle into the final response. Hear their separate movement gather into the longer closing sound.

How to practise it

Tied dotted durations and shorter continuation; second voice follows later.

  1. Keep the tied durations audible while shaping the local short movement.
  2. Rehearse the second-line entry at its own point while the first line continues.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The unison canon requires independent shaping of leading and following lines over supporting motion.

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 - 3” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1384. 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

Tied dotted durations and shorter continuation; second voice follows later.

Practise it in PlayPiano