JS Bach: The Goldberg Variations and Hannibal Lecter

You would not find a person in the world who would not believe that the so-called classical music soothes the soul and helps to eradicate our inner demons. Those people also see themselves as good folks, as sensitive souls that would be incapable of killing a fly. However, this is not always true.

The Goldberg Variations is a work that would confirm the perceived virtues of classical music. Composed for keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach, it was completed around 1742, almost at the end of his life, while serving as kantor in Leipzig. The work includes an aria and 30 variations; it all ends with a shorter version of the initial aria, as if to remind us where everything came from. The complete piece lasts a little less than an hour and it is customarily played in one go, even though the interpreter generally takes a break after Variation 15th.

According to one of Bach's biographers, the Variations were composed at the request of a count in Dresden, to be performed by his harpsichordist (a certain Herr Goldberg) during the count's long sleepless nights. The purpose was successfully fulfilled and Johann Sebastian was generously rewarded.

Let us now listen to the Aria. The version is from the pianist Francois de Larrard.

Goldberg Variations - Aria:

 Many, many years later, The Silence of the Lambs, a novel by Thomas Harris, was published. Its male protagonist, the fearsome killer psychiatrist, Dr Hannibal Lecter, is a great lover of the music of Bach. Later, the homonymous film was unveiled; on it, we can see that minutes before Dr Lecter savagely killed the police officers who guarded him, the prisoner is enthralled to the aria of the Variations, just as we do it right now.

The officers are taking the supper to him and have to open the gate of the cage where Hannibal is locked. During this scene, parts of 6th and 7th variations can be heard.

6th Variation


7th Variation

While the hideous killing occurs, part of the 13th and 21st variations are played. Here you can listen to them in their entirety:

13th Variation



21st Variation

Dr Lecter got rid of his jailers. He devoured a chunk of the face of one of the guards and trashed to death the other one. Once the mission is accomplished, ecstatic, Hannibal enjoys the shorter, final version of the aria.
Sensitive souls can be found anywhere!

Following, the complete version, from the Russian pianist Evgeny Koriolov:

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