What is your favourite set of Theme and Variations?

[josh93248]

Apart from the holder of the user name of course

I really, really liked Beethoven's variations in C minor WoO so I thought talking about our favourite TandVs would be fun. Please post links too so I can check them out

[gvans]

Hi Josh,
 
I agree, the C minor variations are wonderful. Not sure why LVB didn't like them enough to give them an opus number. Maybe j_menz knows...

I really like the variations in the finale of Opus 109, also LVB. They are varied and amazingly expressive. If you don't know them, give 'em a listen. I'm playing the work now.

Of course, there are other titanic pieces out there, such as Bach's Goldberg variations, Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn, and Aaron Copland's T & V for solo piano (not often played but great stuff). All wonderful. This ignores the many chamber music and orchestral theme and variations out there, esp. Brahms Variations on a Theme by Handel, something he wrote to gear up for his first symphony; LVB's theme and variations in the violin sonatas, e.g., the second movement of the D Major; etc, etc.

The whole concept of "favorite" is peculiar to me. No need to play favorites with so much existing richness.

Glenn

[josh93248]

I'm familiar with the Op. 109 finale and rather like it.

I'm not a fan of Brahms and I'm more or less familiar with Goldberg, I may check out the Copland though, as I should give him a try and I'm not familiar with that composer almost at all.

I said "favourite" simply because I think phrasing it that way might create more interest, I really just want to discuss TandVs in general, but if people are actually giving their top choices for the genre, all the better.

[asiantraveller101]

My fav: Tchaikovsky, Piano Trio in A minor, T &V of 2nd movement. Absolutely gorgeous.

[visitor]

this

and this

oh and this one too

[abel2]

Alkan Op. 39 No. 12 is fantastic, as is Liszt/Paganini S.140(1) No. 6/Op. 1 No. 24

[robinlamott]

Theme and Variation? oh please how boring. I couldnt think of a worse way to bore someone by playing usually a mundane theme over and over in different ways. Beethoven, Mozart were the biggest offenders.

[josh93248]

Alkan Op. 39 No. 12 is fantastic, as is Liszt/Paganini S.140(1) No. 6/Op. 1 No. 24

I am familair with the Liszt/Paganini as well as the purely violin version and really like those, I checked out the Alkan and enjoyed it a lot too, thanks

My fav: Tchaikovsky, Piano Trio in A minor, T &V of 2nd movement. Absolutely gorgeous.

I watched the whole Trio... It didn't quite grab me but maybe I need to relisten or find a better version. Thanks for the suggestion though

[themeandvariation]

Mostly, the structure of t&v actually doesn't appeal to me..   - especially  in the usual way it is employed.. I wasn't even crazy about the goldberg's  at first.. ("Too much 'G' tonality for too long" was my aversion). But, as i was going thru mostly everything that Bach wrote for keyboard, I decided to take it on.. Well it became a love affair.. and do still play it regularly as a 'track run' - for years.  But Bach's approach to this medium is very different than most… Notice how the melody from the aria has been seriously messed with Sometimes loosing any connection (it would seem) in the following variations.. It it the bass contour  that is the more consistent..
A couple of years back, i was excited to see Schiff perform them. Got my ticket. Front row. The concert started at 7:30… (All his other performances there had started a 8:00).. I showed up at 7:35 thinking i was going to take my seat and settle in for a most tremendous ride.. They wouldn't let me in  after he started..  I was in shock. Dumbfounded. .. I don't think i ever looked so forward to a concert.
I sat at the bar area and was left with a giant screen that had a picture of the stage about the size of a stamp. The sound of clanking glasses and chatter surrounded me as i put my ear to the screen .. hearing the performance squeezing thru something that sounded like a phone's speaker..  It killed me.  Then after intermission, i took my seat to hear the Diabeli variations… and it was close to torture..
I appreciate the response of others here.. I know the Copland, like the last few variations best.
I listened to the first mov't. of the Tsch. - Didn't really grab me. i didn't make it to the middle mov't, which i shall try today.
There is another set of variations written in the 20th century that i really like, (heard in passing on the radio) but i am drawing a blank on the composer.
I'll have to check out the Alkan.
Thanks Josh for starting this thread.  I would like to add a few more to the ones i like in this category, and i appreciate the response of others.  

(  ps.. Hey, what's in a name, anyways? one's nemesis?     )

[robinlamott]

YOU ALL SOUND LIKE THEMES WITH VARIATIONS

[josh93248]

YOU ALL SOUND LIKE THEMES WITH VARIATIONS

Your insults may actually be more unique and original than your compositions... But more baffling...

[themeandvariation]

(ps.. I too like the Beethoven var.'s   in C minor.. )

[schumaniac]

Your insults may actually be more unique and original than your compositions... But more baffling...

Wait what happened to the "lack of original music" thread? I gave what I thought was a rather constructive comment, and I was interested in what he'd say...
But it seems like he (Mr. Lamott) doesn't respond kindly to these comments. Similar to our beloved "Scholar...?"

[schumaniac]

.

[chopinlover01]

But it seems like he (Mr. Lamott) doesn't respond kindly to these comments.

He also shamelessly self promotes his rather unoriginal music...

Similar to our beloved "Scholar...?"

Perhaps, but I can actually stand listen to BS' music (which, for as much as I dislike the man, I feel someone could do justice with his 3 movement fantasy).

[visitor]

another nod to Rosenblatt, these are cool like the Chopin ones in that they are familiar and fresh at the same time 

[visitor]

spam