Variations on a Theme of Paganini

For other uses, see Variations on a Theme of Paganini (disambiguation).

Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35, is a work for piano composed in 1863 by Johannes Brahms, based on the Caprice No. 24 in A minor by Niccolò Paganini.

Brahms intended the work to be more than simply a set of theme and variations; each variation also has the characteristic of a study. He published it as Studies for Pianoforte: Variations on a Theme of Paganini. It is uncharacteristically showy for Brahms, even Lisztean. Indeed, the work was composed for the piano virtuoso Carl Tausig.

It is well known for its emotional depth and technical challenges. David Dubal describes it as "a legend in the piano literature," ^[1] and "fiendish," "one of the most subtly difficult works in the literature."^[2] Clara Schumann called it Hexenvariationen (Witch's Variations) because of its difficulty.^[3] Dubal quotes critic James Huneker:

«Brahms and Paganini! Was ever so strange a couple in harness? Caliban and Ariel, Jove and Puck. The stolid German, the vibratile Italian! Yet fantasy wins, even if brewed in a homely Teutonic kettle ... These diabolical variations, the last word in the technical literature of the piano, are also vast spiritual problems. To play them requires fingers of steel, a heart of burning lava and the courage of a lion.^[1]»

The work consists of two books. Each book opens with the theme, Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A minor, followed by fourteen variations. The final variation in each section is virtuosic and climactic.

References

1 2 (Dubal 2004, p. 435)
↑ (Dubal 2004, p. 49)
↑ (Swafford 1999, p. 281)

Bibliography

Dubal, David (2004). The Art of the Piano: Its Performers, Literature, and Recordings (3rd ed.). Amadeus Press.
Swafford, Jan (1999). Johannes Brahms: A Biography. New York: Vintage Books, Random House. ISBN 978-0679745822.

External links

Paganini Variations, Book I, Book II: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
Beggerow, Alan (January 23, 2014). "Brahms - Studies For Pianoforte, Variations On A Theme Of Paganini Opus 35". Musical Musings Blog.
Hansen, Kelly Dean (January 9, 2009). "Opus 35 Listening Guide - Variations on a theme of Paganini (Studies for Piano)".
Zhou, Wenli (2012). Piano Variations by Liszt, Brahms and Rachmaninoff on a Theme by Paganini (PDF) (D.M.A.). William Marsh Rice University.

Johannes Brahms

Orchestral works	Academic Festival Overture Serenades Symphony No. 1 Symphony No. 2 Symphony No. 3 Symphony No. 4 Tragic Overture Variations on a Theme by Haydn

Concertante	Double Concerto Piano Concerto No. 1 Piano Concerto No. 2 Violin Concerto

Vocal/Choral works with orchestra	A German Requiem Alto Rhapsody Gesang der Parzen Nänie Rinaldo Schicksalslied Triumphlied

Chamber music	Cello Sonata No. 1 Cello Sonata No. 2 Clarinet Quintet Clarinet Sonatas Clarinet Trio Horn Trio Piano Quartet No. 1 Piano Quartet No. 2 Piano Quartet No. 3 Piano Quintet Piano Trio No. 1 Piano Trio No. 2 Piano Trio No. 3 String Quartet No. 3 String Quintet No. 1 String Quintet No. 2 String Sextet No. 1 String Sextet No. 2 Two String Quartets, Op. 51 Violin Sonata No. 1 Violin Sonata No. 2 Violin Sonata No. 3

Piano works	Ballades, Op. 10 Four Pieces for Piano, Op. 119 Piano Sonata No. 1 Piano Sonata No. 2 Piano Sonata No. 3 Rhapsodies, Op. 79 Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118 Sixteen Waltzes, Op. 39 Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel Variations on a Theme of Paganini

Other compositions	Brahms' Lullaby Eleven Chorale Preludes Fünf Gesänge, Op.104 Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52 Neue Liebeslieder Vier ernste Gesänge Zigeunerlieder

Named for Brahms	1818 Brahms Brahms (crater) Brahms Inlet

Related articles	List of compositions by genre List of compositions by opus number Brahms guitar Brahms-Institut Brahms-Preis German Romanticism International Johannes Brahms Competition Musical cryptogram Three Bs

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