The Variations in F Major were composed in 1802 and were dedicated to Princess Barbara Odescalchi, one of Beethoven’s pupils.Op. 34 is innovative in that each of the six variations is in a different key. Beethoven directed his publisher to point out this novelty in the printed edition of the work. Furthermore, the fact that he gave the work an opus number attests to Beethoven's belief in the importance of the piece, in part because the theme was original. Overall, the set is an excellent example of the "improvisatory" side of Beethoven's variation technique. However, this characteristic of the piece does not necessarily indicate that variations are "written-out" improvisations, as opposed to compositionally "worked-out" ideas. Notes by John Palmer
Classical Music | Piano Music
Ludwig van Beethoven
Six Variations on an Original Theme in F Major, Op. 34 Play
Recorded on 05/17/2018, uploaded on 03/10/2018
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
The Variations in F Major were composed in 1802 and were dedicated to Princess Barbara Odescalchi, one of Beethoven’s pupils. Op. 34 is innovative in that each of the six variations is in a different key. Beethoven directed his publisher to point out this novelty in the printed edition of the work. Furthermore, the fact that he gave the work an opus number attests to Beethoven's belief in the importance of the piece, in part because the theme was original. Overall, the set is an excellent example of the "improvisatory" side of Beethoven's variation technique. However, this characteristic of the piece does not necessarily indicate that variations are "written-out" improvisations, as opposed to compositionally "worked-out" ideas. Notes by John Palmer
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