Aria variata in A Minor

Compared with the Goldberg Variations, Bach’s only similar set of variations is barely known. The Aria variata is an early work, probably composed around 1708 during his time at Weimar. Although the opening “Aria” sounds a little old-fashioned and rather thick in texture, it provides the raw material for 10 contrasting variations, which Bach’s subtitle tells us are in the “Italian manner”. Bach uses different virtuosic patterns in each variation—turning Variation 7 into a gigue—but he avoids free, improvisatory writing at all times. Several versions of the piece survive, but only one of these contains Variation 9, with its brilliant, continuous figuration. Variation 10 returns to the style of the opening “Aria”, though with more boldly stated, expressive harmony. Performers quickly notice that the work requires wide left-hand stretches not playable on a standard keyboard, suggesting it was originally intended for a harpsichord with pedals (which, like an organ, would take care of the lowest notes).