What are the Diabelli Variations? The Diabelli Variations, also called Op.120, are 33 short pieces Beethoven composed, based on a waltz tune written by Anton Diabelli. Diabelli invited a number of composers in Vienna and the Austrian Empire to write variations on his theme for solo piano, that he would publish in Vaterländischer Künstlerverein, in two parts. Part …
Sometimes small things can lead to significant changes and results! This is most certainly true for Beethoven’s two variations numbered opus 34. (6 variations for piano) and opus 35. (The Eroica Variations). Following our previous article on Musical theme and variations, in this piece we will discover, what is the role and significance of opus 35., The Eroica Variations in …
Variations in music is a special genre often regarded by many as less important or inferior to sonatas, symphonies. Although many great composers created variations, it was Beethoven who had elevated this genre to a high(er) level and convinced critics to accept it. What is a variation? It is a musical structure, where a main musical idea called a theme …