Bach: Goldberg Variations
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ID:109
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The relentlessly intricate architecture of the Goldberg Variations still engage scholars after hundreds of years, while the soothing, noble poetry and formidable technical demands of the piece continue to captivate players and listeners. A number of legendary performances of this monumental work have been recorded on piano as well as on harpsichord and organ - two of the most popular and highly regarded ones were recorded on the piano by Glenn Gould in 1955 and 1981. Bach wrote the work with a two-manual harpsichord in mind, which makes the challenge for the pianist even greater – the many hand-crossings, possibly inspired by Scarlatti’s keyboard music, is much easier to perform on two manuals. Johann Nicolaus Forkel wrote in his Bach biography (1802) that the Variations had been commissioned by the Russian Ambassador to Saxony Count Kaiserling, who suffered from insomnia. Goldberg was a young musician, who according to Forkel’s (probably spurious) version of events, was supposed to play from the Variations during the Count’s sleepless nights to cheer him up a little. Rather than just varying the melody of the Aria, the thirty variations are built upon its bass line. Every third variation is a canon at increasing intervals, except the final, thirtieth variation, a so-called quodlibet, mixing a number of popular tunes - including one that goes "Cabbage and turnips have driven me away, had my mother cooked meat, I'd have opted to stay". After this the heavenly Aria with its elusive beauty returns to close the work. |
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 Goldberg variations
May 21, 2011, 09:40:22 PM by sxsx
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I recently started trying to play Bachs goldberg variations, and I am mostly interested in variations 1 and 3, but it is insanely hard for me.
I have just a little more than 1 year of piano lessons, and I am not having lessons right now.
Should I just continue trying or this is omsething only for more experienced players ?
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Aria (Goldberg) and Nuages Gris
February 13, 2011, 07:31:10 PM by fred792k
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Hello.
I'm quite new to a piano, half a year so far.
My repertoire consists of
Träumerei
Of Foreign Lands and People
Chopin prelude 7
Chopin Largo E-flat major
Bach prelude C major
Moonlight Sonata mvt. 1.
The next pieces I'm looking at is Goldberg Variations "Aria", and Liszt's Nuages gris. I can play a minute of each of them so far, but am I good enough to finish them both?
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Recital Performance [VIDEO] Bach: Aria BWV 988 -Scary Moments
May 27, 2010, 09:17:21 PM by philiphotchkiss
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Last Monday I performed the J.S. Bach Aria BWV 988, from the Goldberg Variations. It wasn't a train wreck, but it didn't go quite as I had hoped.
I'm sure many of you will relate to this video which shows the performance with a variety of humorous thought bubbles along the way:)
If this makes you laugh, smile or elicits any other emotions or reactions, please share. Let's have some fun.
_________________________
Philip Hotchkiss
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Help with Kirkpatrick edition of Goldberg Variations
January 02, 2010, 09:37:36 AM by dtmowns
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Hello, I've noticed that in this edition, in his modified scores above the original text, sometimes he transposes and flips things to different clefs etc.... but I don't understand sometimes they are actually different notes!
For instance look at page 22 (Variation eight) Bar 20 and see if you can make sense if the alternate text above the original, the notes don't match!
Forgive my ignorance...as I am sure there is an explanation
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Goldberg Variations PS Urtext (sheet music) 
