The variations of Johannes Brahms / Julian Littlewood ; introduced by Alexander Goehr.
| Author/creator | Littlewood, Julian |
| Other author | Goehr, Alexander, 1932-2024 writer of preface. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | London : Plumbago Books, 2004. |
| Description | xiii, 369 pages : charts, music ; 25 cm. |
| Subjects |
| Series | Poetics of music Poetics of music. ^A1431103 |
| Contents | Chosen themes. Appropriating themes ; Modelling and generic themes ; Revisiting and recycling themes ; Adapting themes: Brahms ; Adapting and transcribing entire sets ; Collaborative endeavours -- Invented themes. Variations on an original theme ; Sets on alternating themes ; Original ideas, but not themes ; Variation movements -- The independent sets. Brahms's chosen themes ; Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 9 ; Variations on a Hungarian theme, Op. 21/2 ; Variations on an original theme, Op. 21/1 ; Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 23 ; Variations on a theme by Handel, Op. 24 ; Studies: Variations on a theme by Paganini, Op. 35 ; Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn (Chorale St Antonii), Op. 56 -- The piano sonatas. Sonata no. 1 in C major: Andante ; Sonata no. 2 in F# minor: Andante con espressione ; Sonata no. 3 in F minor: the Andantes -- The string sextets. Modal transformation in Brahms's Lieder ; Sextet no. 1 in Bb major: Andante ; Sextet no. 2 in G major: Adagio ; Towards a poetic interpretation of the sextets' variations -- Two late chamber works. Piano trio no. 2 in C major: Andante con moto ; String quintet no. 2 in G major: Adagio -- The finales. The association of variation form with finales ; Symphony no. 4 in E minor: Allegro energico e passionato ; Clarinet quintet in B minor: Con moto ; Clarinet sonata no. 2 in Eb major: Andante con moto ; String quartet no. 3 in Bb major: Poco allegretto con variazioni -- The duration of themes and sets -- Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann, op. 9. The historical context ; Schumann's theme ; Variations 1-3: Brahms's theme ; Variations 4-7: Generic conflict ; Variations 8-11: Personal voices ; Variations 12-13: Attributions and dual personalities ; Variations 14-16: A sense of history ; Le Ton beau de Schumann ; A complete score, with voice-leading graphs ; Postscript: A variation for the next generation -- Epilogue. |
| Abstract | This book offers listener, performer, analyst and composer an eclectic array of approaches to 'Theme and Variations', including: patterns of departure and return; real versus perceived time; strategies of propulsion and closure in an intrinsically cyclic and open-ended form; the interplay of authorial voices deriving from dialogue between the 'self' of variations and the 'other' of their theme; critique of a theme through as set's generic references; drama and narrative achieved through textural and tonal control; and the intrinsic sound of a variation, so different from that of a freely composed work. These topics are introduced through a general survey of the form, seen through the prisms of the provenance of themes and the ideologies of sets, before being developed through close study of the composer's variation sets and movements. Johannes Brahms was supremely aware of his place in music history and was uncommonly self-conscious in his manipulation of different techniques of composition. His variation sets--some of the most well-crafted and beloved examples--place the interplay of forms and styles at the heart of their identity. |
| General note | Published in association with King's College London for its 175th anniversary. |
| General note | Originally presented as the author's thesis (PhD)--University of London, King's College, 2003. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 347-353) and index. |
| ISBN | 0954012348 |
| ISBN | 9780954012342 |
| ISBN | 095401233X (cased) |
| ISBN | 9780954012335 (cased) |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Music Stacks | ML410.B8 L58 2004 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |