Variations, WoO. 80

32 Variations in C minor, WoO. 80, ( "32 Variationen über ein eigenes Thema" ) is one of the solo piano works of Ludwig van Beethoven. It was composed 1806.

Analysis

It contains the odd eight bar main theme and 32 variations.Throughout most of the variations, the descending chord line of the left hand serves as an important influence. The variations vary heavily in character, technical difficulty, etc. As typical of Beethoven, many of the variations strongly contrast each other in dynamics.

Variation

Var. I, II, III consist of arpeggios and repeating notes. The only difference among these three variations is which hands play the arpeggios; in Var. I, the right hand does so, Var. II, the left hand, and Var. III, both hands.

Var. IV is a variation looking into precision of staccato, and the descending base line is quite prominent.

Var. V is a quiet variation looking at the contrast between staccato and legato.

Var. VI is a turbulent variation marked fortissimo as well as "sempre staccato e sforzato." The sforzato's are indicated in the music.

Var. VII and VIII are markedly quieter variations than Var. VI but are more musically more difficult.

Var. IX is a variation with many slurs.

Var. X and XI are marked sempre forte with an inversion of the main theme, with the only difference between them being that Var. X's thirty-second notes are played with the left hand, and Var. XI with the left.

Var. XII-XVI mark the Maggiore (Italian for "major") and are thus emotionally different from the other variations. Var. XII is marked semplice, so it should not be overplayed, while XIII is even quieter. Var. XIV has staccato thirds, and XV and XVI contain numerous, albeit slow, octaves.

Var. XVII marks the return of Minore and is marked dolce, implying that it should be played more quietly.

Var. XVIII offers a stark contrast to Var. XVII, with very rapid right hand scales.

Var. XIX is a variation with arpeggios in the form of sixteenth triplets like Waldstein Sonate.

Var. XX and XXI are technically difficult variations with scales.

Var. XXII is noted for its tenutos and sforzatos.

Var. XXIII offers a contrast to Var. XXII and thus is marked pianissimo. It consists of detached chords.

Var. XXIV and XXV are light (thus quiet) variations emphasizing staccato and leggiermente, respectively.

Var. XXVI and XXVII are technically difficult and consist of thirds.

Var. XXVIII is a stark contrast to XXVII, as it is marked semplice.

Var. XXIX consists of difficult arpeggios in the form of sixteenth triplets.

Var. XXX is a contrast to XXIX and is quite slow.

Var. XXXI is even quieter than XXX and technically simple, consisting of left hand arpeggios, and the theme is repeated in the right hand in its original form.

Typically performances of this piece last from 10 to 12 minutes.

External links

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