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Aria variata alla maniera italiana, performed by Lars Ulrik Mortensen for All of Bach, is reminiscent of the style of the Italian composers Frescobaldi and Pasquini, who were both known for their accomplished harpsichord compositions. Pasquini was also known as a virtuoso keyboard player “who [could] play so fast he [appeared] to have demons in his fingers.” The runs in variation 9 of the Aria variata are just like those at the ending of Pasquini’s toccata. If Bach knew Pasquini’s compositions this is not a surprising choice. After all, Bach could also play as if he had demons in his fingers. Recorded for the project All of Bach on October 14th 2017 at the Bartolotti House, Amsterdam. If you want to help us complete All of Bach, please subscribe to our channel and consider donating For the interview with harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen on ’Aria variata alla maniera italiana’ go to For more information on BWV 989 and this production go to All of Bach is a project of the Netherlands Bach Society / Nederlandse Bachvereniging, offering high-quality film recordings of the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Netherlands Bach Society and its guest musicians. Visit our free online treasury for more videos and background material For concert dates and further information go to Lars Ulrik Mortensen, harpsichordist Harpsichord: Geert Karman after J.H. Gräbner, 1774