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Topic: When writing a Theme and Variation...  (Read 3614 times)

Offline chopinlover01

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When writing a Theme and Variation...
on: July 09, 2015, 07:40:24 AM
Is it necessary to include each and every theme?
I'm experimenting writing a theme and variation on the Schubert Moment Musical in F minor, Opus 94 No 5. It has two distinct themes, one being built around a rhythmic drive, the other being a more introspective theme. Would standard form or whatever dictate that you need to include both themes?
Oh, and repeats? I'm assuming you don't need those (though even if it is supposed to happen I'm not going to do it).
EDIT: Just realized that I probably don't need to, considering I'm picking a single theme and writing variations on that theme.
I might incorporate the other theme into the 4th variation, though.
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Offline j_menz

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #1 on: July 09, 2015, 08:05:52 AM
EDIT: Just realized that I probably don't need to, considering I'm picking a single theme and writing variations on that theme.

Yep.

I might incorporate the other theme into the 4th variation, though.

A good idea. You might spread it thinly across all of them, too.
"What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left" -- Oscar Levant

Offline chopinlover01

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #2 on: July 09, 2015, 05:56:14 PM
Many thanks.
Now I'm listening to all kinds of sets of variations- Beethoven's Diabelli and C minor variations, Mendelssohns variations serieuses. Any recommendations?

Offline mjames

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #3 on: July 09, 2015, 08:14:21 PM
Many thanks.
Now I'm listening to all kinds of sets of variations- Beethoven's Diabelli and C minor variations, Mendelssohns variations serieuses. Any recommendations?


Liadov variations, op. 24, op. 35 and op. 51 ;)

Offline alistaircrane4

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #4 on: July 09, 2015, 08:25:33 PM
Many thanks.
Now I'm listening to all kinds of sets of variations- Beethoven's Diabelli and C minor variations, Mendelssohns variations serieuses. Any recommendations?

Corelli Variations-Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini-Rachmaninoff
ABEGG Variations-Schumann
Op.2-Chopin
Op.12-Chopin
Geistervariationen-Schumann
also I would say Schumann's Symphonic etudes.
Hexameron-Liszt

Offline liszt1022

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #5 on: July 09, 2015, 08:39:48 PM
I wrote a set of (dumb, badly composed) variations on the Lumberjack Song in high school. At that point I had only heard Mozart's Ah vous dirae-je maman and Chopin's La ci darem la mano. If you've heard a few, you understand the concept, so just go for it!

Offline chopinlover01

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #6 on: July 09, 2015, 08:52:09 PM
I understand it, I'm now getting new ideas for variations.
Many thanks for all the suggestions. I've listened to Hexameron, it's quite an adventure (seeing as it has variations from Czerny, Chopin, Thalberg and co.).

Offline mjames

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #7 on: July 10, 2015, 12:21:00 AM
speaking of czerny


rhode variations.

moscheles 6 Variations on a Russian Theme op.23

Sigismund Thalberg op 66

glazunov variations op. 72

Medtner Improvisation opus something, i dont remember

Offline mjames

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Re: When writing a Theme and Variation...
Reply #8 on: July 10, 2015, 05:42:51 AM
second mvt from Schubert's 16th sonata
2nd mvt from scriabins concerto
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