Four Goldberg Variations by J. S. Bach

Bach’s Goldberg Variations represent some of the finest and most famous example of Theme and Variation writing in the Baroque Period.  The arrangement features Variation Nos. 22, 4, 25, & 30 (the Quodlibet). The most famous variation, No. 25 (video—2:22)  (often referred to as the “dark pearl”) stretches chromaticism into a harmonic language of the late 19th-century.  The original key of G major/minor has been transposed to D major/minor to provide more balanced voicing of all the parts.   Tempo and expressive markings have been added purely as suggestions and all parts have been well fingered.  Available as a quartet—Guitar is the hardest in higher positions.