Let us analyse Bach's Aria, from the Goldberg Variations BWV 988.
Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685 – 28 July 1750), Baroque era German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist is considered by many musicologists as the 'father of counterpoint' (a very typical feature of Baroque music, meaning the relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent - i.e. polyphony - but independent in rhythm and contour).
His contribution to the music of the period also resides in his use of harmonic and motivic organisation, and adaptation of rhythms, forms and textures from other countries (particularly from France and Italy)
Bach is remembered for his Branderburg Concertos, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier and his partitas, passions, chorales, cantatas and works for organ ; his music is revered for its technical complexity and its beauty, and he is not only regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period, but also as one of the great composers of all time.
It is a feature of the Baroque era the composers' construction of a general framework which interpreters were supposed to embellish with ornaments of their own elaboration. Unlike most composers of his time, though, Bach notated most or all of the details of his melodic lines, leaving little freedom for the interference of performers. In this resides his control over the dense contrapunctual textures that he favoured, and decreased leeway for spontaneous variation of melodic lines.
His contribution to the music of the period also resides in his use of harmonic and motivic organisation, and adaptation of rhythms, forms and textures from other countries (particularly from France and Italy)
Bach is remembered for his Branderburg Concertos, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier and his partitas, passions, chorales, cantatas and works for organ ; his music is revered for its technical complexity and its beauty, and he is not only regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period, but also as one of the great composers of all time.
It is a feature of the Baroque era the composers' construction of a general framework which interpreters were supposed to embellish with ornaments of their own elaboration. Unlike most composers of his time, though, Bach notated most or all of the details of his melodic lines, leaving little freedom for the interference of performers. In this resides his control over the dense contrapunctual textures that he favoured, and decreased leeway for spontaneous variation of melodic lines.
Notice, in the Aria from the Goldberg Variations, the very fine weaving of a contrapuntual texture between two harmonic lines, and the beautiful, precise embellishments created by the composer. Also observe the very logical harmonic organisation.
The following is a classical performance, by great pianist and specialist in Bach for piano, Glenn Gould. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lR2rlq-ALw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lR2rlq-ALw
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