Bach - The Goldberg Variations

A detailed guide to one of Bach's most popular keyboard works.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. Background and genesis; 2. Overall shape; 3. The movements; 4. Questions of reception; Appendix: the intended harpsichord.

About the author

Peter Williams (1937-2016) was an internationally renowned Bach scholar and performer. He held the first Chair in Performance Practice in Britain at the University of Edinburgh, where he was Director of the Russell Collection of Harpsichords and latterly Dean of Music. He was also the first Arts and Sciences Distinguished Chair at Duke University, North Carolina. He was the author of many books, including The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (3 volumes, Cambridge, 1981-1984), Bach, Handel, Scarlatti 1685-1985 (Cambridge, 1985), The Life of Bach (Cambridge, 2003) and J. S. Bach: A Life in Music (Cambridge, 2007).

Summary

Bach's spectacular Goldberg Variations represent a high point in the whole repertory of keyboard music, particularly for the harpsichord. This book takes a detailed look at their historical origins, what their exceptionally intricate plan is, what kind of impact they have had, and how their mysterious beauty has been created.

Product details

• Authors: Peter Williams, Peter F. Williams
• Assisted by: Julian Rushton (Editor)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.07.2010
• EAN: 9780521807357
• ISBN: 978-0-521-80735-7
• No. of pages: 120
• Dimensions: 145 mm x 222 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 292 g
• Series: Cambridge Music Handbooks
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Music > Miscellaneous