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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7

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

On this page
  • variations
  • Baroque
  • dancing

Also known as Goldberg Variations - 7.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7 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. Dotted figures answer held sounds

    Upper dotted gestures sit above held ornamented notes and a dotted lower reply. Hear their rhythmic character while keeping the longer sounds connected.

  2. Small flourishes join larger gestures

    Short rising flourishes connect dotted replies and held notes in both parts. Listen to the flourishes as links, not separate accents.

  3. A familiar rhythm at a changed level

    Renewed dotted gestures open the second half in a changed register. Recognise their rhythm while noticing the new placement.

  4. Earlier gestures lead to a broad close

    Held-note and flourish patterns return near the ending. Hear how those familiar ideas settle into the final broad G sound.

How to practise it

Dotted dance groups; bass length differs from melody.

  1. Speak the unequal short-note grouping before playing it against a steady larger pulse.
  2. Practise bass releases independently instead of duplicating the melody rhythm.

How hard is it

Level 6, estimated

Dance articulation and ornament placement need rhythmic lift without rushed decorative notes.

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 - 7” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1407. 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

Dotted dance groups; bass length differs from melody.

Practise it in PlayPiano