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Variation is the presentation of a theme (a melodic idea) followed by a series of changes on that theme. There may be changes in harmony, mode, melody, counterpoint, rhythm, timbre, orchestration or any combination. This structure often used in the 2nd and final movements of larger Classical works such as symphonies, string quartets, and sonatas.
Variation Form
Variation forms of the baroque included ground bass, passacaglia, chaconne, and theme and variations. However, the theme and variation forms of the classical period however are focused on the variation of the theme. The theme is repeated with changes or it is accompanied in a changed manner. The following elements could change or be used in combination in the variations: harmony, melody, rhythm, timbre, and orchestration. Counterpoint could also be introduced. The “theme” in Variation form generally is between eight and thirty-two bars in length. Likewise the variations, particularly in music of the eighteenth century and earlier, are the same number of measures in length and structure as the theme.
Court Dances and Variation: A practice of performing musicians could have influenced this form of variation. “Court dances” were long. However they contained short 8-32 bar melodies. These short melodies could became wearisome to repeat. During these repetitions the players inevitably would indulge themselves in improvising the melody, leading us to variation and ornamentation.
Variations ‘free-standing’ pieces for solo instruments or ensembles, or can constitute a movement of a larger multi movement work. Jazz music is structured on a basic pattern of theme and variations.
Variations on Mozart’s , Ah! vous dirai je maman (Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star) KV 265
Hear this simple tuneful melody upon which Mozart has built a beautiful set of variations. The link below will allow you to follow along and read about this work. Note the character of this melody compared with those of the baroque. It is tuneful and has very clear phrases.
https://youtu.be/Ezvj-De6bxY
Click on this link for more description of Variation form:
http://www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/downloads/049518974X_78467.pdf
Rondo Form
Rondo form is also not new to this period. The term dates back to the medieval fixed poetic form rondeau. Medieval chansons that used poetic rondeaux as their texts often used a musical structure that mimicked the poetic structure.
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The term and formal principle may have derived from the medieval poetic form, rondeau, which contains repetitions of a couplet separated by longer sections of poetry.
In rondo form, a principal theme (sometimes called the “refrain”) alternates with one or more contrasting themes, Possible patterns in the Classical period include: ABA, ABACA, or ABACABA. The number of themes can vary from piece to piece, and the recurring element is sometimes embellished and/or shortened in order to provide for variation. Note that A is the refrains or principal theme and the other letters represent the contrasting themes
A Baroque predecessor to the rondo was the ritornello. Ritornello form was used in the fast movements of baroque concertos (See Vivaldi’s Spring in The Seasons). The entire orchestra (also called tutti) plays the main ritornello theme, while soloists play the intervening episodes. While the Rondo is similar to ritornello form, the ritornello brings back the subject or main theme in fragments and in different keys, where the rondo brings back its theme complete and in the same key.
W.A. Mozart – Piano Sonata No 11 in A – Major, K.331 (300i)
This is a performance of Mozart’s {Piano sonata 11.
Piano recital by Olga Jegunova
Andante Grazioso: Though most sonata first movements are in sonata form, the first movement of this sonata is a Theme and Variations. Listen to the simple tuneful melody of this first movement. Tuneful and very clear phrases (aba) very typical of the variation style in the classical period. You can tell this style of performance is not form the Baroque period. Try to determine ho w each movement is “varied” in this theme and variations.
If you click on “Show More” at the You tube sight you will see the following times which are linked to the individual locations.
00:04 Theme
00:51 Variation 1
01:33 Variation 2
02:21 Variation 3
03:16 Variation 4
03:59 Variation 5
05:48 Variation 6
6:53 Minuetto: The second movement is a minuet – less like the minuet dance but in triple meter and with the form of the minuet.
10:24 Alla Turca – Allegretto: The third movement is the famous Turkish Rondo – in the style of Turkish music. The Ottoman empire had a strong influence in Europe during these times as they dominated much or Europe during theses years.
10:28 – A
11:06 – B
11:21 – C
12:04 – B
12:18 – A
12:46 – B
13:00 – Coda