He held a position as court instrumentalist for a lord, and his lord needed a cure. What could Bach cure with his music? Insomnia, as the story goes. It's probably not true, but it's a funny joke. The music begins with a slow and gentle tune, played by stringed instruments. The tune is then repeated by the harpsichord, so that it is better remembered. Then the fun begins. The group had selected 11 of their favorite variations to play for us. Each variation consisted of the same basic melody, with some elements changed, such as: instruments, tempo, style and sometimes even mode. Each variation offered something new and exciting, showcasing the beauty of the violin in the upper register, the power of the cello in the mids and lows, and the versatile range of the viola. My favorite variations were 7, 16, and 21. In variation 7, the feel of the song changes from a slow, gentle instrumental beauty to a bright, happy, almost bouncy melody. The violin and cello played this variation during the concert, and they played it perfectly. The two instruments played together, bouncing a syncopated rhythm back and forth in an almost dance-like quality. In variation 16, the original tune is heavily decorated in a typical baroque style. Played by all four members, the power and emotion behind the original is doubled and, in different sections, each instrument comes into its own.