: Many listeners prefer the piano solo version, which translates the harpsichord's crispness into a more resonant, emotive performance.
The Passacaglia originated as a Spanish street dance ("pasar" - to walk, "calle" - street). In Handel's hands, it became a sophisticated set of variations over a repeating bass line. Modern "reviews" often note how this 18th-century structure paved the way for modern loops and repetitive structures in pop and electronic music.
If you are looking to download or listen to the most "interesting" versions, consider these popular interpretations found on platforms like SkySound7 :
