Variations sérieuses : Structure Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Variations sérieuses

Variations sérieuses, Op. 54, MWV U 156, is a composition for solo piano by Felix Mendelssohn consisting of a theme in D minor and 17 variations. It was completed on 4 June 1841. A typical performance lasts about eleven minutes.

The work was written as part of a campaign to raise funds for the erection of a large bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven in his home town of Bonn.^[1] The publisher Pietro Mechetti asked Mendelssohn to contribute to a 'Beethoven Album', published in January 1842, which also included pieces by Liszt, Chopin, Moscheles and others, of which the proceeds would go to the Monument.^[2] (Schumann's Fantasie in C was the final result of a work originally intended for the same purpose).

Mendelssohn is known to have written three sets of piano variations, but only this one was published during his lifetime.^[3]

Many of the variations require a virtuoso technique. Mendelssohn's good friend Ignaz Moscheles stated "I play the Variations sérieuses again and again, each time I enjoy the beauty again." Ferruccio Busoni also liked the work very much. Many pianists have recorded it, including Vladimir Horowitz, Sviatoslav Richter, Alicia de Larrocha, Rena Kyriakou, Vladimir Sofronitsky and Murray Perahia.

Structure

Variations sérieuses, Op. 54
Felix Mendelssohn

Performed live by Mark Gasser

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Theme: Andante sostenuto
Variation 1
Variation 2: Un poco più animato
Variation 3: Più animato
Variation 4
Variation 5: Agitato
Variation 6: A tempo
Variation 7: Con fuoco
Variation 8: Allegro vivace
Variation 9
Variation 10: Moderato
Variation 11: Cantabile
Variation 12: Tempo del Tema
Variation 13: Sempre assai leggiero
Variation 14: Adagio
Variation 15: Poco a poco più agitato
Variation 16: Allegro vivace
Variation 17
Coda: Presto

References

^ "New York Philharmonic". Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
^ Todd, R. Larry (2003). Mendelssohn, A Life in Music, p.414. Oxford. ISBN 978-0195179880
^ Variations sérieuses, for piano in D minor, Op. 54; Composition Description

External links

Variations sérieuses: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project

Felix Mendelssohn

Vocal

Stage	A Midsummer Night's Dream Antigone Oedipus at Colonus Die beiden Neffen Die Heimkehr aus der Fremde Die Hochzeit des Camacho
Sacred	Oratorio: St. Paul / Paulus Elijah / Elias Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen Wer bis an das Ende beharrt Christus Other: "Psalm 42" Vom Himmel hoch (chorale cantata) Drei Motetten Lobgesang (Symphony No. 2) Verleih uns Frieden "Hear my prayer" Lord, have mercy upon us Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt (Psalm 100) Mitten wir im Leben sind
Other	Die erste Walpurgisnacht "On Wings of Song" Festgesang Festgesang an die Künstler

Orchestral

Symphony	13 String Symphonies No. 1 No. 2 (symphony-cantata Lobgesang) No. 3 (Scottish) No. 4 (Italian) No. 5 (Reformation)
Concerto	Violin and Strings Violin Piano, Violin and Strings Piano: No. 1 – No. 2 Two Pianos: in E major – in A♭ major
Other	Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage The Hebrides Die schöne Melusine "Wedding March"

Chamber

String quartet	String Quartet in E♭ major No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 Four pieces for string quartet
Other	Violin Sonata: No. 1 – No. 2 – No. 3 Viola Sonata Cello Sonata: No. 1 – No. 2 Assai tranquillo for cello and piano Clarinet Sonata Piano Trio: in C minor – No. 1 – No. 2 Piano Quartet: No. 1 – No. 2 – No. 3 String Quintet: No. 1 – No. 2 Piano Sextet String Octet