Variations on a Theme by Haydn
The Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op 56a are a set of variations for orchestra composed by Johannes Brahms. The work was written in the summer of 1873 in Tutzing. The premiere took place on November 2, 1873 in Vienna under Brahms ' line instead. From Brahms ' spring, a version of which dates for Two Pianos (Op. 56b). The piano version was also premiered on 10 February 1874 in Vienna.
About the work
1870 Brahms met on six Feldparthien or Divertimenti, probably falsely attributed to Joseph Haydn. Brahms put his variations the second sentence of the sixth Divertimento in B flat major for 2 oboes, bassoons and 3 Serpent, 2 horns ( Hob.II: 46) basis. This set is titled " Chorale St. Antoni ". A special feature of the first part of the hymn, in which the subject is presented, is that it consists of two each five-bar periods, which are repeated in almost all the eight variations.
The chorale may not be written by the composer of the divertimento. Eduard Hanslick assumed that the chorale was originally a Song of Ascents. In addition, it is assumed the chorale could have been sung in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua at the Memorial of penitents, as they (now Burgenland) pilgrimage from their villages in Western Hungary to a certain St. Anthony 's Chapel, where they from the brothers of Charity were expected.
The cast consists of piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, timpani, triangle and strings.