Tunitemusic
J.S. Bach Goldberg variations on a Harpsichord with 432 Hz tuning, perfect calm music for sleeping.
The tuning:
Nowadays, the standard tuning for western instruments is 440 Hz, meaning the middle A pitch on every instrument is tuned to 440 Hz and the rest of the notes are tuned relative to that. But it has not always been the case. the standard global tuning system did not come into existence until mid 19th century. before that, every country or even city had its own standard. but one of the most common tuning systems which were also pretty common in the times of Johann Sebastian Bach, was 432 Hz, meaning the middle A is tuned to 432 Hz.
In this sense, the performance you are hearing now is closer to what J.S bach actually intended. it is played on the trend keyboard of his time, the harpsichord and it is tuned probably closer to what he would tune his instrument.
Although let's not forget that today we are using equal-tempered clavier and J.S. Bach was using well-tempered clavier. in equal-tempered clavier, the distance between each semitone (each adjacent note on a piano keyboard) is exactly equal. but in the well-tempered system, the distance between each semi-tone might be different. there is no evidence indicating exactly what note had what frequency on J.S. Bach's well-tempered system. many scholars have guesses of course, but in the end, no one can be sure for 100%.
Goldberg variations:
Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, is a musical composition for harpsichord that consists of an aria and 30 variations. It was first published in 1741 and is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may have also been the work's first performer.
We must thank the former Russian ambassador to the electoral court of Saxony, Count Kaiserling, who frequently stopped in Leipzig and brought the aforementioned Goldberg with him in order for Bach to teach him music. The Count was frequently ill and slept poorly. Goldberg, who lived in his house at the time, had to spend the night in an antechamber to play for him during his insomnia. The Count once mentioned in Bach's presence that he would like to have some clavier pieces for Goldberg that were smooth and somewhat lively in character so that he could be cheered up in his sleepless nights by them. And Bach thought Variations would be the best way to fulfill this wish. Thus the Goldberg variations were composed and came to life by the mastery of J.S Bach.
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