Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - Bach Carus choosing to set a cycle

choosing to set a cycle of poems from the “Buch der Lieder”

Air in D minor HWV 461

His contemporaries frequently compared him to Delibes

characteristics which are also reflected in the virtuoso piano accompaniment

Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - Bach Carus choosing to set a cycleThe Goldberg Variations are without a doubt the most important piano cycle of the 18th century. Only Beethovens Diabelli Variations from the 19th century can be compared to them as far their far reaching significance is concerned. Bachs own manuscript might not have survived, but the corrected first printing of the Aria mit verschiedenen Veraenderungen vors Clavicimbal mit 2 Manualen (thus the title) has done so. This first edition serves as the