THEME AND VARIATIONS TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Sectional Variation (Closed) The theme is larger than a phrase, often a period or some kind of part form like a binary. Like the theme, each variation is punctuated by closure. Examples are theme and variation types or 18th century "doubles". Continuous Variation (Open) theme is a phrase (4 to 8 bars long) or two. The variations are correspondingly short and have more open closure than the sectional variation closure. One flows into the next without interruption. Examples are ground bass, chaconne, and passacaglia types (various spellings of passacaglia) Theme with variations: (either sectional or continuous) can be movements or sections of a movement in larger works. Other: Plainsong mass, cantus firmus, parody mass, paraphrase mass, chorale prelude, Chorale Variations, Canons on the same theme, Baroque double, collection of works using same theme, Different settings of same chorale tune, songs with varied strophes, varied da capos and recapitulations, Serial Variations. VARIATION PROCEDURES: In all variation processes, be able to identify, describe, and distinguish between invariant and varietal factors.

ornamentation, adding embellishing material to theme melody simplification, reducing theme melody to an essential skeleton figural, systematic ornamentation where a particular figure is superimposed on the melody. A particular figure may be a characteristic motif for a particular variation. additive, contexts, voices, lines added increase density and/or complexity of successive variations characteristic, changing mood or personality of each variation

Potential Constants (invariants) which contribute to unity form of theme harmonization of theme

aspects of a melody, some of the original motives, simplified version of the melody

Potential Variables (changes) which contribute to growth and creation of shape. rhythmic crescendo group of variations schematic grouping or organization of variations gradual change in density, complexity [growth or decline in ANY factor which contributes to shape such as rhythm, texture factors (range, density, register, etc] Continuous Variations basso ostinato (ground bass) chaconne (often associated with "sarabande" rhythm) variations on an ostinato variations on a bass melody variations on a harmonic progression passacaglia Examples of Sectional Variations Bach Bach Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Brahms Britten Dohnanyi Handel Handel Haydn Mozart Mozart Mozart Schoenberg Aria with Thirty Variations (the "Goldberg Variations") English Suite No. 2 (2nd Courante--ex. of "double") Diabelli Variations, op 120 Piano Sonata, op. 14, no. 2, 2nd movement Piano Sonata, op. 26, 1st movement Piano Sonata, op. 57 ("Appassianata") Piano Sonatas op. 109 and op. 111, the finales Piano Variations in F ma, op 34 Quartet in E flat ma, op. 74 ("Harp") Sym. No. 3, finale Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, op. 24 Variations on a Theme by Henry Purcell Variations on Nursery Song Suites 4 and 5 for harpsichord (more "doubles") Suite 5 uses the tune "The Harmonious Blacksmith" Quartet, op. 76, no. 3, variations on an Austrian Hymn Clarinet Quintet, K. 581, Allegretto Con Variazioni Quartet in D mi, K. 421, finale Violin Sonata, K. 305 Variations on a Recitative for Organ, op. 40

Examples of Continuous Variations Bach Passacaglia in C ma Bach Partita in D mi of solo violin (the Chaconne) Beethoven Thirty-two Variations in C mi for Piano

Berg Brahms Brahms Britten Handel Purcell

Wozzeck (act 1, scene 4) Sym. no. 4 (finale) Variations on a Theme by Haydn Peter Grimes Chaconne in G ma Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas

Developmental or Metamorphic Variations a process that does not adhere as strictly to an existing structure in the theme but rather explores characteristic features of the thematic material. Examples of Developmental or Metamorphic Variations Copland Elgar Ives J B Chance Schoenberg V-Williams W Shumann Variations on a Shaker Melody, In Appalachian Spring Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) Variations on "America" for organ Variations on a Korean Folk song (band) Theme and Variations for Band, Op. 43a Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis (strings) Variants on a Medeaval Tune (band)

New Versions of Old Works Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphisis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

More Examples of Continuous Variation Hindemith Stravinsky Stravinsky Orff Chopin Britten Mathis der Maler (the Suite) last movement near end Beginning of Firebird, large sections of Rite of Spring sections of Symphony of Psalms Carmina Burana Polonaise in A flat, op. 53 Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings (the Dirge)

Basso Ostinato: variations on a ground and variations on a ostinato progression ground bass and ostinato ground bass and free ground bass basso ostinato and soprano ostinato Ostinato patterns in: Purcell, Dido's Lament Schubert, Der Doppelganger Bach, Chaconne

Debussy, La cathedrale engloutie Hindemith, Piano Sonata No. 2, first movement, bars 63-112 [B493]

More Examples of Variations Bach Bach Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Brahms Brahms Brahms Brahms Brahms Brahms Dello Joio Elgar Ginastera Handel Haydn Mozart Mozart Rachmaninov Strauss, R. von Weber Bach Bach Bach Bach Bach Bach Bartok Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Blacher Boccherini Britten Britten Byrd Chopin Chopin Chorale Variations on Seigegrusset, Jesu gutis Goldberg Variations, Aria with Thirty Variations Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, final, orchestra Trio in C, Op. 87, second mvt Diabelli Variations, Thirty-three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120 Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Hndel, Op. 24 Variations on a Theme of Haydn, Op. 56a, orchestra Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, for clarinet and strings, last mvt Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, no. 1 Sextet in G, Op. 36, third mvt Variations, Chaconne, and Finale Variations in G minor on an Original Theme, op. 36 (The Enigma Variations) Variacciones Concertantes The Harmonious Blacksmith, Air and Variations in Suite No. 5 in E Variations in f minor HOB XVII: 6 Ten Variations on Come un agnello by Sartis, K. 462 String Quartet in A, third mvt, K. 464 Rhapsody of a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, piano and orchestra Don Quixote (cyclical use of hero's theme, see also Ein Heldenleben) Eight Variations on an air du ballet from Vogler's Castor and Pollux English Suite 6, Sarabande with double Chorale Variations and Partitas on Christ, der Du bist de helle Tag O Gott, du frommer Gott] Ach, was soll ich Sundig machen Five canons on Von Himmel hoch Concerto for violin, second mvt Sonata for Piano, Op. 57, second mvt Sonata for Violin, Op. 96, last mvt String Quartet, Op. 74, fourth mvt String Quartet, Op. 127, second mvt Variations on a Theme by Paganni, Op 26 Quintet No. 6, Op. 30, last movement Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge, Op. 10 Variations on a Theme by Henry Purcell (The Young Person's Guide) Carman's Whistle Variations, Op. 2, for piano and orchestra, from Don Giovanni Variations on a Theme from Halvy's Ludovic, Op. 12

Delius Dvork Franck Harris

Appalachia Variations for Orchestra Symphonic Variations in F# minor for piano and orchestra String Quartet, No. 2

All material at this site is copyright 2004, Kenneth R. Rumery, all rights reserved.

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~krr2/musan_linx.html