Known throughout the English-speaking world as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” the familiar tune on which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s set of variations is based actually comes to us from 18th century France. Of unknown origin, the tune first appeared in print (without words) in Paris in 1761. It was originally believed that Mozart first heard the melody during the time he resided in Paris (an understandable assumption), placing the date of the composition during 1778. However, later analysis of the manuscript has suggested that Mozart composed the variations as early as 1781.
The French tune is stated in simple two-part harmony, allowing ample room for Mozart’s imagination to run free. Throughout each of the succeeding twelve variations, the harmony is enriched through the introduction of suspensions and chromatic chords. The variations also maintain the tune’s twenty-four-measure structure. In some, the melody itself is embellished, such as Variations I or III; in others, the tune is set against an embellished countermelody, such as Variation II or VI. Variations VIII (the only minor key variation) and IX introduce a brief point of imitation of the melody’s head motif, although in neither case does the imitation last more than a few bars. Variation XI slows the tempo to an Adagio and transforms the tune into a beautiful cantabile melody. The final variation shifts to triple meter and returns to an Allegro tempo. The tune, embellished with trills, is sounded over a tremolandi bass. After the completion of the melody, a brief coda of trills and scale passages brings the variations on such a beloved tune to an exciting close.Joseph DuBose
Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman”, KV 265 (7’)Mozart
Very few piano works have become as popular as this theme with twelve variations. It had already caught on soon after Mozart's death, as witnessed by the numerous handwritten copies and prints. Although nothing is known with any certainty regarding its genesis, we can now conclusively date "Ah, vous dirai-je Maman" to 1781. Many people think Mozart wrote the music for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, but he did not. The published tune first appeared in 1761 in Paris, and in 1781 Mozart used it for this set of piano variations.Krystian Tkaczewski
Classical Music | Piano Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
12 Variations in C Major on “Ah, vous dirai-je Maman” K. 265
PlayRecorded on 05/22/2013, uploaded on 01/16/2014
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Known throughout the English-speaking world as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” the familiar tune on which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s set of variations is based actually comes to us from 18th century France. Of unknown origin, the tune first appeared in print (without words) in Paris in 1761. It was originally believed that Mozart first heard the melody during the time he resided in Paris (an understandable assumption), placing the date of the composition during 1778. However, later analysis of the manuscript has suggested that Mozart composed the variations as early as 1781.
The French tune is stated in simple two-part harmony, allowing ample room for Mozart’s imagination to run free. Throughout each of the succeeding twelve variations, the harmony is enriched through the introduction of suspensions and chromatic chords. The variations also maintain the tune’s twenty-four-measure structure. In some, the melody itself is embellished, such as Variations I or III; in others, the tune is set against an embellished countermelody, such as Variation II or VI. Variations VIII (the only minor key variation) and IX introduce a brief point of imitation of the melody’s head motif, although in neither case does the imitation last more than a few bars. Variation XI slows the tempo to an Adagio and transforms the tune into a beautiful cantabile melody. The final variation shifts to triple meter and returns to an Allegro tempo. The tune, embellished with trills, is sounded over a tremolandi bass. After the completion of the melody, a brief coda of trills and scale passages brings the variations on such a beloved tune to an exciting close. Joseph DuBose
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Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman”, KV 265 (7’) Mozart
Very few piano works have become as popular as this theme with twelve variations. It had already caught on soon after Mozart's death, as witnessed by the numerous handwritten copies and prints. Although nothing is known with any certainty regarding its genesis, we can now conclusively date "Ah, vous dirai-je Maman" to 1781. Many people think Mozart wrote the music for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, but he did not. The published tune first appeared in 1761 in Paris, and in 1781 Mozart used it for this set of piano variations. Krystian Tkaczewski
More music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lacrimosa from Requiem K. 626
Rondo in D Major, K. 485
Soave sia il vento, from Così fan tutte
Hostias from Requiem K.626
Sonata in D Major
Concerto No.21 Do major 2nd moviment
12 Variations in C Major on “Ah, vous dirai-je Maman” K. 265
Benedictus from Requiem K. 626
Piano Concerto 12 KV 414 (1ºmov)
Piano Sonata No. 8 in a minor, K 310
Performances by same musician(s)
Four Mazurkas, Op. 17
Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op. 22
Pictures at an Exhibition
Wedding March with Variations (arr. by Vladimir Horowitz)
Nocturne in c minor, Op. 48, No. 1
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