The work is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, a pupil of Bach's who played harpsichord in Count Keyserlingk's private band and would play for the Count during his sleepless nights.
Compositional Technique
The variations are grouped in threes, with the last of each group being a canon, progressing in intervals from the unison to the ninth.
Performer Biography
Klára Würtz, the pianist on this recording, has an extensive discography of over 40 albums, covering repertoire from Mozart to Bartók.
Compositional Technique
The final variation, the Quodlibet, combines two popular song melodies in counterpoint over the fundamental bass, before the opening Aria is repeated.
Performer Biography
Klára Würtz studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest with renowned teachers such as Zoltán Kocsis, Ferenc Rados, and György Kurtág.
Compositional Technique
The Goldberg Variations are structured with a theme and 30 variations, where the bass and harmonic structure of the opening sarabande are preserved throughout.
Composition History
The Goldberg Variations were supposedly commissioned by Count Hermann Carl von Keyserlingk, a patron of Bach's, to help him through sleepless nights.
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