Aria with thirty variations for harpsichord, "Goldberg", BWV 988 (Clavierübung IV, c.1742)

Alternative title: 
"The Goldberg" variations (Clavierübung IV, c.1742)

 

Goldberg Variations (Aria with thirty variations) ... J. S. Bach
       Aria.  Variation 1 (Duet); 2 (Trio); 3 (Canon at unison); 4 (Quartet); 5 (Duet, 2 manuals); 6 (Canon at 2nd); 
       7 (Duet, alla Siciliana); 8 (Duet, 2 manuals); 9 (Canon at 3rd); 10 Fughetta (Quartet).
       Variation 11 (Duet, 2 manuals); 12 (Canon at 4th by inversion); 13 (Trio); 14 (Duet, 2 manuals); 
       15 Canon at 5th by inversion, minore).     
       Variation 16.  Overture (Grave and Allegro); 17 (Duet, 2 manuals); 18 (Canon at 6th); 19 (Trio); 
       20 (Duet, 2 manuals); 21 (Canon at 7th, minore); 22 (Quartet); 23 (2 manuals); 24 (Canon at octave).
       Variation 25 (Trio, minore); 26 (Trio, 2 manuals); 27 (Canon at 9th); 28, 29 (2 manuals);
       30 Quodlibet (Quartet).  Aria da capo.

 

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Professor Donald Tovey wrote in the concert programme November 28th, 1917:
This work, known as the "Goldberg" Variations, was written for a harpsichord with two manuals: hence the designation "à 2 Claviature" of certain variations in which the hands are crossed in a more intricate way than is convenient on one keyboard.  The "Quodlibet" is a combination of several popular songs over the bass of the theme.

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