Passacaglia in C minor

Passacaglia in C minor, composed by J.S. Bach, is a musical form featuring a recurring, strophic bass line—an underlying pattern repeated throughout the piece. Over this fixed bass, the composer varies melodies, harmonies, and textures, creating a sense of development and emotional depth. The piece typically begins with a somber, expressive theme, and as it progresses, the variations explore different musical ideas while maintaining the foundation. This structure allows performers and listeners to appreciate both the stability of the repeating bass and the creativity in the variations.