Bach: The Goldberg Variations

Cambridge Music Handbooks

by Peter Williams

Bach's spectacular Goldberg Variations represent a high point in the repertory of keyboard music, particularly for the harpsichord. This book takes a detailed look at how these variations originated, especially in relation to all Bach's ClavierÜbung volumes and late keyboard works, what their exceptionally intricate plan is, what kind of impact they have had, and how their mysterious beauty has been created. This guide to what was at the time the largest and most carefully conceived single work of keyboard music will appeal to students, performers and listeners.

Genres: Music

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 1997

About the author

Full name Peter F. Williams; publishes as Peter Williams

University of Edinburgh 1962-1985
Duke University 1985-1997
University of Cardiff 1996-

Reviews

[Harry Stovin-Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read this I know have talking points for my favourite piece of baroque music: an essential!

[Richard Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening book, although given my elementary knowledge / abilities, much went over my head ( a criticism of me, not the book).

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel a non-fiction phase coming on, perhaps expidited by my need to make up some of the IQ points I lost while reading Fifty Shades of Crap.

Bach: The Goldberg Variations wasn't very interesting for me, but it was educational. My interest would be more strongly held by either a biography on Bach or on a work about his Cello Suites. Or perhaps if I'd ever listened to The Goldberg Variations. I'll never give a non-fiction less than 4 stars (unless I feel it is deliberately misleading or otherwise malicious), so that is what this one gets.

And it did what I hoped it would: It made me feel more smarter. ;)