Aria
Baroque works
Definition
A self-contained vocal or instrumental piece with a lyrical, songlike character. In keyboard music, an aria typically serves as the theme for a set of variations.
Historical Context
The aria originated in vocal music of the Renaissance and Baroque. In keyboard contexts Pachelbel, Handel, and Bach (Goldberg Variations) used the aria as the basis for variation sets, where its harmonic and melodic outline is retained while surface details change across each variation.
Works (10)
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria da capo Key G major
- Aria
- Aria (Grand Canal), Op. 7
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria prima in F major Key F major
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria quarta in G major Key G major
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria quinta in A minor Key A minor
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria seconda in D minor Key D minor
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria sexta in B♭ major Key B♭ major
- Hexachordum Apollinis – Aria tertia in E minor Key E minor
- Keyboard Sonata in D minor, K. 32 Key D minor