Klarinet Archive - Posting 000335.txt from 1998/12

From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Theme and Variations (was: Rossini)
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 22:19:24 -0500

Actually, it's because it was written by Rossini that the style and content
is less mature!!

Sorry - Da Debil made me do dat
Carl Schexnayder

>>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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