''32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor'',
WoO 80 (german: 32 Variationen über ein eigenes Thema, link=no), is a composition for solo piano by
Ludwig van Beethoven, written in 1806.
Analysis
The work consists of an eight-
bar
Bar or BAR may refer to:
Food and drink
* Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages
* Candy bar
* Chocolate bar
Science and technology
* Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment
* Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud
* Bar (u ...
main
theme
Theme or themes may refer to:
* Theme (arts), the unifying subject or idea of the type of visual work
* Theme (Byzantine district), an administrative district in the Byzantine Empire governed by a Strategos
* Theme (computing), a custom graphical ...
and 32
variations
Variation or Variations may refer to:
Science and mathematics
* Variation (astronomy), any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite, particularly of the moon
* Genetic variation, the difference in DNA among individuals ...
. A
chord progression in the left hand, based upon a descending
chromatic
Diatonic and chromatic are terms in music theory that are most often used to characterize scales, and are also applied to musical instruments, intervals, chords, notes, musical styles, and kinds of harmony. They are very often used as a pair, ...
bass, serves as an important structural device. The short and sparse melodic theme, as well as the emphasis on the bass line, reflect a possible influence of the
chaconne and the
Folia.
The variations differ in character, technical difficulty and dynamics.
Variations
Typically, performances of this piece last from 10 to 12 minutes.
Reception
The piece proved popular, receiving a favorable review in the ''
Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung
The ''Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung'' (''General music newspaper'') was a German-language periodical published in the 19th century. Comini (2008) has called it "the foremost German-language musical periodical of its time". It reviewed musical e ...
'' (Leipzig) in 1807, and remains popular today. Nevertheless, Beethoven did not see fit to assign it an
opus number. It is said that later in his life he heard a friend practicing it. After listening for some time he said "Whose is that?" "Yours", was the answer. "Mine? That piece of folly mine?" was his retort; "Oh, Beethoven, what an ass you were in those days!"
See also
*
Beethoven and C minor
The compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven in the key of C minor carry special significance for many listeners. His works in this key have been said to be powerful and emotive, evoking dark and stormy sentiments.
Background
During the Classical ...
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Piano variations by Ludwig van Beethoven
1806 compositions
Compositions in C minor