Goldberg-Variationen

Theme and variations is a classical musical form in which a clearly stated theme is followed by a sequence of self-contained variations that transform the theme’s melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, register, mode, meter, or orchestration. Although used across many eras, the form crystallized during the late Renaissance and Baroque periods through keyboard and lute traditions, then became a structural mainstay in the Classical and Romantic eras. In performance, the listener recognizes the original idea through its continuities—often the harmonic plan or characteristic contour—while enjoying the inventive contrasts that each variation brings.