J. S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 | Organ of Pembroke College, Cambridge | Scrolling Score

Johann Sebastian Bach – Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) performed on the organ of Pembroke College, Cambridge, with a synchronised scrolling score.

This complete performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations presents the work on the organ, offering a distinctive perspective on one of the central masterpieces of the keyboard repertoire. Although conceived for a two-manual harpsichord, the Goldberg Variations translate compellingly to the organ, where clarity of counterpoint, architectural breadth, and long-range harmonic pacing can be explored with particular depth. This interpretation seeks to preserve rhythmic vitality and contrapuntal transparency while allowing the organ’s sustained tone to illuminate Bach’s extraordinary structural design.

The performance was recorded on the historic organ of Pembroke College Chapel, Cambridge, an instrument well suited to Bach’s contrapuntal writing, variation technique, and large-scale formal thinking.

Published in 1741 as the fourth part of Bach’s Clavier-Übung, the Goldberg Variations consist of an opening Aria, thirty variations built over its bass line and harmonic structure, and a return of the Aria da capo. Every third variation is a canon, progressing by ascending intervals, and the cycle culminates in a Quodlibet before the final return of the Aria.

A scrolling score is provided throughout to aid study and listening. The score follows the musical text closely and is synchronised precisely with the performance.

Programme

00:07 I. Aria
04:25 II. Variatio 1
06:43 III. Variatio 2
08:34 IV. Variatio 3, canone all’unisono
10:58 V. Variatio 4
12:13 VI. Variatio 5
14:07 VII. Variatio 6, canone alla seconda
16:03 VIII. Variatio 7
18:12 IX. Variatio 8
20:22 X. Variatio 9, canone alla terza
22:43 XI. Variatio 10, fughetta
24:27 XII. Variatio 11
26:54 XIII. Variatio 12, canone alla quarta
29:35 XIV. Variatio 13
32:18 XV. Variatio 14
34:41 XVI. Variatio 15, canone alla quinta, andante
37:27 XVII. Variatio 16, ouverture
40:41 XVIII. Variatio 17
43:11 XIX. Variatio 18, canone alla sesta
44:54 XX. Variatio 19
46:23 XXI. Variatio 20
48:45 XXII. Variatio 21, canone alla settima
51:56 XXIII. Variatio 22
53:33 XXIV. Variatio 23
55:58 XXV. Variatio 24, canone all’ottava
58:54 XXVI. Variatio 25
1:03:14 XXVII. Variatio 26
1:05:40 XXVIII. Variatio 27, canone alla nona
1:07:50 XXIX. Variatio 28
1:10:41 XXX. Variatio 29
1:13:10 XXXI. Variatio 30, quodlibet
1:15:18 XXXII. Aria da capo

Robert Costin, Organist
Pembroke College, Cambridge

Website: https://robert-costin.com

YouTube:    / @robertcostinmusic  

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