Variations
Baroque works
Definition
A theme followed by a series of modifications — melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, textural, or character-based — each retaining some connection to the original while exploring new territory.
Historical Context
Theme and variations is one of the oldest compositional processes. Landmark piano sets include Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, Brahms's Handel Variations, and the Goldberg Variations of Bach. The form tests a composer's ingenuity and range while offering listeners the pleasure of transformation.
Works (30)
- Roll Over Beethoven
- I Still Play
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 10 – Fughetta Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 12 – Canone alla Quarta Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 14 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15 – Canone alla Quinta Key G minor
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 16 – Ouverture Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 17 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18 – Canone alla Sesta Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 19 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 2 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 20 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21 – Canone alla Settima Key G minor
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 22 – alla breve Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24 – Canone all'Ottava Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 Key G minor
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27 – Canone alla Nona Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 28 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 29 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3 – Canone all'Unisono Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30 – Quodlibet Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 4 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5 Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6 – Canone alla Seconda Key G major
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7 – al tempo di Giga Key G major