BWV 988 Goldberg Variations 5 (a 1 ô vero 2 Clav) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
 The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, is a musical composition for keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations. First published in 1741, it is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may also have been the first performer of the work. |
Notes
Baroque Era. Drop D. 3/4 time signature. key of E minor. 3 pages 31 bars. Arr: Jószef Eötvös
This is the first of the hand-crossing, two-part variations. It is in 3
4 time. A rapid melodic line written predominantly in sixteenth notes is accompanied by another melody with longer note values, which features very wide leaps.
The Italian type of hand-crossing such as is frequently found in the sonatas of Scarlatti is employed here, with one hand constantly moving back and forth between high and low registers while the other hand stays in the middle of the keyboard, playing the fast passages.
Piano Demo (Glenn Gould) (1981 Version)
Guitar Pro Playthrough