There are 20 variations in BWV 582/1. The first begins with a typical C minor "affekt", "a painful longing" according to Spitta, similar to the beginning of Buxtehude's "Chaconne in C minor", BuxWV 159. Numerous attempts have been made to figure out an overarching symmetrical structure of the work, but scholars have yet to agree on a single interpretation. Particularly important attempts were made by Christoph Wolff and . Some scholars have speculated that there is a symbolic component to the structure of the work: for instance, Martin Radulescu argues that BWV 582/1 is "in the form of a cross".