Goldberg Variations (Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.) Bach’s biographer Forkel explains the Quodlibet by invoking a custom observed at Bach family reunions (Bach’s relatives were almost all musicians): As soon as they were assembled a chorale was first struck up. From this devout beginning they proceeded to jokes which were frequently in strong contrast. That is, they then sang popular songs partly of comic and also partly of indecent content, all mixed together on the spur of the moment. … This kind of improvised harmonizing they called a Quodlibet, and not only could laugh over it quite whole-heartedly themselves, but also aroused just as hearty and irresistible laughter in all who heard them. Forkel’s anecdote (which is likely to be true, given that he was able to interview Bach’s sons), suggests fairly clearly that Bach meant the Quodlibet to be a joke. “Quodlibet” is a new word to me: The term is Latin, meaning “whatever” or literally, “what pleases.” Quodlibetevs.
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Goldberg Variations (Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.)

Bach’s biographer Forkel explains the Quodlibet by invoking a custom observed at Bach family reunions (Bach’s relatives were almost all musicians):

As soon as they were assembled a chorale was first struck up. From this devout beginning they proceeded to jokes which were frequently in strong contrast. That is, they then sang popular songs partly of comic and also partly of indecent content, all mixed together on the spur of the moment. … This kind of improvised harmonizing they called a Quodlibet, and not only could laugh over it quite whole-heartedly themselves, but also aroused just as hearty and irresistible laughter in all who heard them.

Forkel’s anecdote (which is likely to be true, given that he was able to interview Bach’s sons), suggests fairly clearly that Bach meant the Quodlibet to be a joke.

“Quodlibet” is a new word to me:

The term is Latin, meaning “whatever” or literally, “what pleases.”

Quodlibetevs.

Source: Wikipedia