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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6

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

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  • variations
  • Baroque
  • gentle

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 6.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6 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 lead-in before the repeat

    A lower moving figure and one held upper G begin before the first repeated region. Notice the space left by the other upper voice.

  2. Related ideas enter at different times

    Held upper notes and descending replies overlap above independent bass cells. Listen for the related shapes without forcing the entries to happen together.

  3. The dialogue renews in a new region

    The second repeated region layers fresh held-note entries over changed running bass figures. Compare the new lower motion with the earlier support.

  4. A repeat ending is not the final ending

    The source keeps different continuing and closing branches. Hear whether each response invites another pass or brings the region to rest.

How to practise it

Delayed long upper tone; continuous lower sixteenths.

  1. Count the rest and retain the long-tone shape when the shorter continuation begins.
  2. Keep the lower subdivision even and quiet beneath the longer upper outline.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The canon at the second combines close imitation with a separately controlled supporting line.

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 - 6” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1385. 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

Delayed long upper tone; continuous lower sixteenths.

Practise it in PlayPiano