"Brahms wrote the Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn, op 56 in the summer of 1873. It was first composed for 2 pianos, the orchestral version followed the same year and received its first performance on 2 November 1873 in Vienna, under Brahms own direction.... The piano version may be regarded as a preliminary study for the orchestral version, although Brahms, by giving it a separate opus number, dignified it with the status of an independent composition." writes Stefan Hanheide in the cover insert of the Teldec recording of the work by Martha Argerich and Alexandre Rabinovitch.
It is believed that Haydn itself had based the theme on an Austrian pilgrim's hymn.
This theme later on became the theme for the Alma Mater of the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. At the turn of the century, Peter Lutkin, NU's Musical Director, arranged the theme of Brahms as "Quaecumque Sunt Vera". A rearrangement followed by John Paynter, NU's Band Director in 1958, bringing it closer to Brahms version. Thomas Tyra wrote the lyrics. "Whatsoever Things Are True". A great University Hymn for a great School. "Hail to thee Northwestern"
