Variation structures - the best?

[pianowelsh]

Hi teachers!
I am very interested in the idea of using variation structures as a means of most efficiently advancing a students technical progress.  My question is that with SO many sets of variations out there within every era of musical composition..which ones do you use and find most valueable (for developing TECHNIQUE - thats the focus here) and also for each of the pieces you use..which technical aspects do they develop. It would be cool to end up with a kinda database of sorts here...im thinking along lines of pieces like Duport, Beethoven 32 in Cmin, Mendelssohn variation serieueses etc..with a brief description of the reasons YOU might assign that piece to a student.

[pianowelsh]

PS - be as origional as you like ( some 20th C ones might be nice too!) I was just giving some obvious examples:
ie Variations serieuses - 1.contrapunctal writing (finger clarity)
                                       2.Octaves
                                       3. Independance of accompanying figures
                                       4. Contrary articulations
                                       5. jumping Chords/keyboard geography etc.

you dont need to state which variations do which aspect. Just general ones and hopefully we can see which works are the most effective for overall development.

[pianistimo]

i too like variations - but would not single them out necessarily for only technical purposes.  they also serve composition purposes - because you can see the 'mind' of the composer at work.  the brahms paganini variations, to me, were very helpful to a point.  practicing thirds and sixths.  but, when all was said and done - i still needed help.

my teacher here in pa was extremely helpful to something i didn't even really think about.  it was more the approach to the notes themselves (massaging them) and almost treating the keyboard as a sort of window to one's mind.  when he asked 'what are you feeling?'  the first time - i thought it was some odd psychosis type of question.  then, i realized - i had no particular feelings at the time about what i was playing.  i was just playing it.

now, i realize - beyond technique there is much mind.  to become in tune with one's feelings is perhaps the hardest thing about piano, to me.  and, to correspond it to the composer's feelings when he wrote the piece.  and, not to bash ff's or play pp's too lightly.  to give adequate breadth and width.  to become 'one.'  yes - a sort of metaphysical idea - but yet - spiritual moreso.  to identify with what you are playing.

that is why i think students should be involved in picking the pieces they play.  or introduced to things the teacher believes they might like (looking at their track record). 

[opus10no2]

I think variations are the most pianistically valuable from along with etudes.

Rzewski's People United variations are among the best ever written.

I would also add Godowsky's Passacaglia and Alkan's Festin, along with Reger's Bach vars and the obvious different variations on the Paganini 24th caprice.

Of course these are all quite advanced...

[pianowelsh]

Advanced is ok..but im trying to go for a whole scope.  I think i understand you pianistimo but I dont consider that technique is just in the mechanics ..sound and physical approach as well as the correct mental attitude are all part of a fine technique in my book.

I was listening to Brahms op21 today 'variations on an origional theme' it strikes me that this is a fantasic set of variations for getting the student to think orchestrally and develop a broad pallette of sounds...Of course its fantastic for chord playing and voice leading/part playing too...

Keep them coming in guys..Im interested to know what you guys think about the classical ones too ie Mozart, Haydn, Clementi, Czerny even!!! et al.  I find that this era of music in general is one of the most fruitfull for students as the music is so exposed that attention to detail of phrasing and sound and EVERYTHING is just at the forefront.  Id like to know what you think AND importantly which ones YOU use in your own teaching.