Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)

The Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) are a set of 30 intricate keyboard pieces composed by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1741. They showcase a central theme, called a "ground bass," repeated throughout, with each variation offering new musical ideas and techniques. The work is a masterful display of Baroque musical structure, harmony, and ornamentation, emphasizing both technical skill and artistic expression. Originally thought to be created for relaxation or entertainment, the variations are now celebrated as a pinnacle of keyboard invention, demonstrating Bach’s genius in blending complexity with elegance.