Goldberg Variation 28

Bach; arr. Brian Slawson

2 Players

Medium/Advanced Duet for Mallet Percussion

Instrumentation:

• 2 marimbas(low C marimbas are preferred, however substituion parts for low A marimbas are provided.)

Unlike many of J.S. Bach’s other works, The Goldberg Variations were actually published in his lifetime (1741). This duet of Goldberg Variation 28 provides a flashy vehicle that features two players primarily playing with two mallets. The trading interaction between the two players keeps this piece moving at a brisk pace that will prove challenging when factoring in some of the quick interval changes during 32nd note passages.

The visual aspect of this piece is enhanced with Brian Slawson’s suggested stickings—uniform, but in mirror image. While ideally performed on two 5-octave marimbas, substitutions are offered which allow it to be played on a standard range instrument (4.3-octave, low A).

This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.