Aria EXCERPT from Goldberg Variations (arranged for guitar) by Johann Sebastian Bach Classical Guitar - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1185292

Angelic, elegant, powerful, and emotional.

Features:
1. Arranged for guitar
2. Tablature Added
3. Slurs added
4. Mordents and trills.
5. Harmony added to be idiomatic for guitar
6. Added commas for suggested phrasing and "unwritten rests"

Tips:
1. Be mindful of how you are interpreting the grace notes; they should not intrupt the flow.
2. Bach often likes to start and stop phrases in the middle of a measure. I suggest pretending that you are multiple instruments with SATB, that way when a new "voice" comes it, it comes in with a different character and tone.
3. Historically there is no evidence of rubato, but instead there is notes inégales and agogic accent. This means that it is generally accepted that you should linger on notes at the performers discretion. If you don't do this, Bach can sound extremely mechanical and soulless. Even when playing guitar, pretend that you have a bow, and that you have to breathe in!

History:
The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, by Johann Sebastian Bach, is a monumental work in the repertoire of classical keyboard music. Here are some key facts about this piece:

1. **Composition and Publication**: The Goldberg Variations were composed by Bach and published in 1741 as the fourth part of his Clavier-Übung series.

2. **Structure**: The work consists of an aria and 30 variations. The aria is a sarabande, a slow, stately dance form, and each variation maintains the same bass line and harmonic structure as the aria.

3. **Origin of the Name**: The work is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, a harpsichordist who was a student of Bach's son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. According to one story, the variations were commissioned by Count Hermann Karl von Keyserlingk, a Russian diplomat, who wanted Goldberg to play them to help him sleep.

4. **Aria**: The aria is a simple and elegant melody that opens and closes the set of variations, serving as a framework for the entire work.

5. **Variation Techniques**: The variations showcase a wide range of styles and techniques, including canons, fugues, and dance forms. Every third variation is a canon, with each successive canon moving up by an interval (unison, second, third, etc.).

6. **Performance Length**: A complete performance of the Goldberg Variations typically lasts about 70 to 80 minutes, depending on the tempo and interpretation of the performer.

7. **Instrumentation**: Originally written for the harpsichord, the Goldberg Variations are now frequently performed on the piano. They have also been transcribed for various other instruments and ensembles.

8. **Historical Significance**: The Goldberg Variations are considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of keyboard music and a cornerstone of Bach's compositional output.

9. **Interpretations**: The work has been recorded by many notable pianists and harpsichordists, including Glenn Gould, whose 1955 and 1981 recordings are particularly famous and influential.

The Goldberg Variations remain a profound and endlessly fascinating work, captivating musicians and audiences alike with their intricate beauty and intellectual rigor.

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