The album cover features a cabinet decorated by Gérard Dagly, whose chinoiseries and golden landscapes symbolize the journey of discovery and surprise in listening to the Goldberg Variations.
Compositional Technique
Bach's Goldberg Variations consist of an Aria followed by 30 variations, concluding with a repeat of the Aria, making a total of 32 pieces.
Composition History
The popular name 'Goldberg Variations' comes from a story by Bach's first biographer, Forkel, who claimed they were written for Count Keyserling to help with his sleepless nights.
Compositional Technique
Variation 30 of the Goldberg Variations is a Quodlibet, a contrapuntal combination of popular song melodies, including 'I have been away from you so long, come closer' and 'Cabbages and turnips have chased me away'.
Composition History
The Goldberg Variations were published by Bach in 1741 as 'Keyboard exercise, consisting of an ARIA with various variations for the two-manual harpsichord.'
Compositional Technique
Every third variation in the Goldberg Variations is a Canone, where two voices imitate each other strictly, progressing from unison to a ninth.
Interpretation
The performer, Julien Wolfs, based his interpretation on Bach's personal printed copy of the Goldberg Variations, discovered in 1974, which included Bach's own corrections and annotations.
