Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) and the Goldberg Variations

The 26th piece from Bach's Goldberg Variations, Variation 25 “The Black Pearl”, is heard as we see scenes of Dresden burning during World War II.

Ihr Schweine, ihr verfluchten Schweine

“You pigs! You cursed pigs!”

This is what a very young German soldier screams at the American soldiers, including Billy Pilgrim, in response to seeing the beautiful city of Dresden burning following the devastating bombardment.

Listen to Variation 25, “The Black Pearl”, from Bach's Goldberg Variations, in the video below, played on the piano.