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Baroque · variations

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8

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 8 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 - 8.

History

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8 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. Rising arches above detached support

    Upper running arches move above lower detached notes and rests. Follow each arch as a connected shape without covering the shorter supporting sounds.

  2. Motion changes its position

    The lower figures become more continuous while the upper part answers with detached attacks. Listen for the exchange of moving and separated roles.

  3. Related arches return differently

    The second half recalls the rising figures at a changed pitch level and register. Compare the shape, then notice the denser exchange that follows.

  4. A descent finds a held ending

    Shorter arches and linked replies lead toward the final fermata. Hear the closing direction through both parts before letting the last sound settle.

How to practise it

Broken rising groups with returning notes; descending low outline at a slower spacing.

  1. Practise each small rise and return as a gesture, then connect the groups without accenting every returning note.
  2. Sing the four low notes, then maintain that slower descent while the higher groups move across it.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Interlocking figuration creates coordination and register-management demands on a single piano keyboard.

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 - 8” by J. S. Bach (1685 to 1750). Mutopia edition maintained by Hajo Dezelski. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1408. 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

Broken rising groups with returning notes; descending low outline at a slower spacing.

Practise it in PlayPiano