Klarinet Archive - Posting 000278.txt from 1998/12

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Theme and Variations (was: Rossini)
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 02:06:18 -0500

>From: dnaden <dnaden@-----.net>
>>Caution here. Just because a piece is written as a "theme and variations,"
>that
>>does not mean that as a style that is "less mature" than a three-movement
>>structured work.
>>
>>If your point is that Rossini's Introduction, Theme and Variations is an
>earlier
>>work than some his later works, and thus more imature in his development as
>a
>>composer, that is different.
>
on 12/5/98 2:25 PM, Craig Earl Countryman wrote:

>No, you are correct to take my point concerning maturity as one comparing
>theme and vars. to the three movement. I wasn't intending to compare this
>Rossini work to his later ones. It is a personal opinion I hold, having
>played a ton of Theme and Variation pieces as a soloist and accompanying
>other soloists, I think the form is trite and overused. After a while, it
>takes much more from a Theme and Variations piece than a Three Movement
>piece to impress me.
>
>Rossini's is one example of a superior theme and variations piece because it
>has emotion and room for the performer to capitalize on its musicality.
>However, many other members of that genre lack that musicality, and are
>inmature showcases for the soloist's technical superiority.
>
>I think Theme and Variations is an important form, especially within the
>larger works of Haydn, to be used in a larger work. However, I don't think
>it has as much merit alone as other forms do. That's just a personal belief
>I have from my experiences. Perhaps as I get older and have more exposure
>theme and variation pieces which are better constructed my view will change,
>but now I don't see it as being of equal merit, standing alone, with other
>forms such as Sonata form, Rondo, Scherzo, etc.

May I direct you to theme and variation movements and works from Brahms (
a real master of the form IMHO) and Beethoven to help you change your
opinion. Mozart wrote a few passable sets of variations as well ;-)

Just of the top of my head:

Brahms - Haydn Variations
Eb Clarinet sonata - last mvt
Handel Variations (piano)
4th Symphony - last mvt - OK, it's a passacaglia or chaconne,
but it's variation of a
ground bass

Beethoven - Eroica Sym. - last movement

Mozart - Gran Partitta
C minor wind octet - last movement

Just a short and very incomplete list, both for works and composers.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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