Main content

The Goldberg Variations

Tom Service is joined by harpsichordist Richard Egarr to explore one of the most mysterious, complex and rewarding pieces in all music, Bach's keyboard work The Goldberg Variations.

Available now

31 minutes

Last on

Fri 21 Oct 2022 16:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Going Slow

Next

Is it canon?

See all episodes from The Listening Service

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Richard Egarr.
    • HMU.
    • HMU907425/26.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Glenn Gould.
    • sony.
    • 19439753982.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Goldberg Septett.
    • sony.
    • 19075851652.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Dmitry Sitkovetsky. Performer: Luigi Piovano. Performer: Yuri Zhislin.
    • Nimbus.
    • NI6199.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Andreas Borregaard.
    • BIS.
    • BIS2399.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Seldom Sene Recorder Quintet.
    • Brilliant.
    • 95591.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: PA'dam Chamber Choir.
    • cobra.
    • COBRA0050.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Goldberg variations BWV.988

    Performer: Jeremy Denk.
    • Nonesuch.
    • G7559795869.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 26 Jul 2020 19:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 31 Jul 2020 16:30
    BBC Radio 3
  • Sun 16 Oct 2022 17:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 21 Oct 2022 16:30
    BBC Radio 3

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate “noise” from “music”, but is it that simple?

Podcast