A Comparative Approach: Research On The Performance Version Of "Goldberg" Variations (BWV988) Of Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach(1685.3.21~1750.7.28)was an outstanding organist,composer,violinist and harpsichord in Germany in the 18 th century.Bach's music works absorbed the excellent part of the music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period,and it induced a great influence on the development of later Western music.He was revered as the "Father of modern Western music." Bach's excellent works were mostly created in the Leipzig period.The "Goldberg" Variations(BWV988),a very artistic work,had been regarded as a representative work of western music.It was even praised as a monument of Variations."Goldberg" Variations was highly appreciated,which was deemed as the most solemn Variation in the history of music for the harpsichord.The status of this work in the Variations can be imagined.Consequently,understanding the "Goldberg Variations" is particularly essential to well understand Bach as well as performing other works of him.This paper consists the following parts: The introduction includes the purpose and significance of this research,the status and ideas of both local and foreign researches;Chapter one mainly introduces Bach's life,his historical status and the characteristics of Bach's works,as well as the background of creating "Goldberg Variations";Chapter two studies those performers who ever performed the "Goldberg Variations",especially focusing Glenn Gould,Zhu Xiaomei,Rosalyn Tureck,and Landowska Wanda,for whom the background is also interpreted;Chapter three is a comparative analysis of the influence of the four musicians on the performance of this work.In addition,several representative variations were selected to review both similarities and differences in styles between the four performers in performing these variations,together with certain prominent details,so as to go for a comparative analysis to better understand their performance.This can also provide a more favorable and more detailed reference for performing this work;With the analysis of the performance of "Goldberg Variations" of these pianists,the conclusion part is combined with the comprehension of self practice.Besides,it includes the interpretation of how to apply these studies onto the actual performances,which aims to help readers to understand the style of Bach's works in various aspects,in order to better performing this work.