Bach - Goldberg Varations, BWV 988 "Variation 1" (Gould)

Variation 1 (a 1 Clav.) from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

Glenn Gould, piano

The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, are a set of an aria and 30 variations for harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach. First published in 1741 as the fourth in a series Bach called Clavier-Übung, "keyboard exercise", the work is considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form. It is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may have been the first performer. This sprightly variation contrasts markedly with the slow, contemplative mood of the theme. The rhythm in the right hand forces the emphasis on the second beat, giving rise to syncopation from bars 1 to 7. Hands cross at bar 13 from the upper register to the lower, bringing back this syncopation for another two bars. In the first two bars of the B part, the rhythm mirrors that of the beginning of the A part, but after this a different idea is introduced. Williams sees this as a sort of polonaise. The characteristic rhythm in the left hand is also found in Bach's Partita No. 3 for solo violin, in the A-flat major prelude from the first book of the Well-Tempered Clavier, and in the D minor prelude of the second book.

Quoted from David Schulenberg's "The Keyboard Music of J.S. Bach"

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Classical
• Scores
• Johann
• Sebastian
• Bach
• Glenn
• Gould
• Goldberg
• Varations
• BWV
• 988
• Aria
• Variation1
• Piano
• Baroque
• Var
• clav

[30inventionman]

It is reality dude. Grow up. Subjective. ha! i was in no way being subjective, abstract, or any other way you want to interpret what I said. I am right.

To be known you must compete. debut, recitals, and so on and so forth. The orchestra will not have you just walk on stage and perform a Mozart concerto. Grow up! @superiorLarxene

[SuperiorLarxene]

@SuperiorLarxene So, essentially everything *is not* all about competition. Only to the mind of those who wish to prove they are better. I am not one of those people, which is why you and I have opposing opinions.

[SuperiorLarxene]

@30inventionman And this is why I hate when people reply to my comments. Everything you said is subjective and is completely debatable topic and is in no way factual. I do agree with you, however, that is because we as humans have made everything competition because of our greed.

[30inventionman]

@SuperiorLarxene Your missing my point. Everything is about competition at first. Though we grow and realize it is not and that is when true art is put into music as Gould has done.

So, yes, first we must compete with ourselves and against others.

[SuperiorLarxene]

@30inventionman No, everything is not about competition. lol Like I said, it's like trying to compare Trance music and Choral music. Boy, I hate it when people reply to my comments. lol

[30inventionman]

@SuperiorLarxene Everything is about competition

level 2 u forget about competition and explore your passion

[30inventionman]

flawless this version. 

[SuperiorLarxene]

@dadnapt24 No, PhillyB702 is correct. Not to mention what you're saying is completely subjective. Baroque and Classical are two completely different styles. It's like trying to compare Trance music with Choral music. Also, music isn't about competition. lol Every musician should know that first-hand.

[esojbar]

Gould? Was he running away from the police or ETs? (beautiful anyway...Bach is Bach).

[MucusFelidae]

Gallopping horses run over the keyboard in a race who will be the first. Why so fast?