Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel

The Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24, is a highly imaginative, classically polished composition for solo piano penned by Johannes Brahms. It was composed in September 1861 as a birthday present for Clara Schumann, who was the widow of Brahms' musical and personal mentor, Robert Schumann. Shortly after Brahms gave the premiere in Vienna on November 29, 1861, Clara herself played the Handel Variations in a recital in Hamburg.

Related Topics:
Piano - Johannes Brahms - Clara Schumann - Robert Schumann - Vienna - November 29 - 1861 - Hamburg

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Brahms borrowed the theme from an aria in George Frideric Handel's Harpsichord Suite in B flat, HWV 434 (1733). In the Handel, the original theme is transformed into five variations. To explore the vast chromatic possibilities that were opened up by the inventive development of the piano from the harpsichord, Brahms enlarged the scope of his opus to a monumental 25 variations capped off by an extended fugue.

Related Topics:
Theme - Aria - George Frideric Handel - Variation - Harpsichord - Fugue

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