Re: goldber variations and the cabbage

beppe wrote:
> I read that the aria of the Golberg variations stems from a little song
> which says something like: if you hadn't cooked cabbage I would have
> stayed... (or something like this).
> I wonder if we have the original of this song, the text, the score, if
it
> has ever been recorded.
> I tried to google for it but to no avail so far.
>
> Beppe
  The Aria you refer to is from the Anna Magdalena Book ca. 1726.  It
was kind of a guest book in which visitors and Bach  wrote small
pieces.  The Aria has no text.  It was chosen by Bach as the theme for
the Goldberg Variations when he was commissioned by Count Kayserling
(1742) to compose a lively work to help with his insomnia.
  The last of the 30 variations 'Quodlibet'  or "whatever"  combines
themes from two popular songs of the day.  The Quodlibet was a Bach
family tradition and filled the house with laughter.
  The songs were 1."Cabbage and beets have driven me away.  Had my
mother cooked some meat then I'd have stayed much longer. 2. "I've not
been with you for so long.  Come closer, closer, closer.
  The Goldberg Variations were composed for a two manual harpsichord.
The parts frequently cross so performance on a modern piano is quite
difficult.  For two excellent recordings on the piano visit
www.glenngould.com
  For the score, use only the Schirmer edition edited by Ralph
Kirkpatrick.
  I made a large harpsichord (1972-79) and performed the variations
and many other works of Bach in solo recitals and with locat
orchestras in Denver.