Variations on a Theme by Paganini (Lutosławski)

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Variations on a Theme by Paganini
by Witold Lutosławski
Paganini Variations
Witold Lutosławski in the 1940s
KeyA minor
FormTheme and variations
Composed1941 — Warsaw
ScoringTwo pianos

Variations on a Theme by Paganini (Polish: Wariacje na temat Paganiniego), often referred to as the Paganini Variations, is an arrangement for two pianos of Niccolò Paganini's Caprice No. 24, from Paganini's original set of 24 Caprices for violin, written by Polish composer Witold Lutosławski. The arrangement, originally composed in 1941, was later re-arranged for piano and orchestra.

Background

Version for two pianos (1941)

In the years leading up to Lutosławski's completion of this piece, the composer was a minor officer in the

Chester Music.[4]

Version for piano and orchestra (1977–1978)

Lutosławski rearranged the piece for piano and orchestra many years later, between 1977 and 1978, and dedicated the new arrangement to

Chester Music.[4]

Structure

The Variations retain most of Paganini's original material for solo violin.

theme with variations, presenting the theme, a total of twelve variations, and a final coda. The additional twelfth variation before the coda is Lutosławski's only structural alteration in the piece. It is in a single, 208-bar movement with a total duration of six minutes. It was originally scored for two pianos. No titles for any of the sections are present in the score; however, these sections are divided by double bar lines except for Variation X and the coda.[5] The sections are divided as follows:[1]

Structure of Variations on a Theme by Paganini
Section Tempo indication Bar[a]
Theme Allegro capriccioso 1
Variation I — 19
Variation II Meno mosso 31
Variation III — 47
Variation IV — 59
Variation V — 75
Variation VI Poco lento 91
Variation VII Allegro molto 104
Variation VIII — 118
Variation IX — 130
Variation X — 142
Variation XI Più mosso 174
Variation XII Ancora più mosso 186
Coda Ancora più mosso 202

The Variations follow Paganini's classical variation model, but incorporates some of the techniques that were popular at the time of its completion:

cadence. Variation IV again presents a dense counterpoint, while Variation V's counterpoint is not as dense and features the main melody in both piano parts.[1]

After a short pause, Variation VI, a slow, contrapuntal variation, ensues. It is isolated from the other variations because of its sharp change in tempo. The variation's form is that of a strict canon by inversion in both piano parts throughout the whole section.[1]

Variation VII introduces a faster tempo again in a two-bar lead-up section, acting as a bridge, with a short motif which is going to be repeated and elaborated until the end of Variation VIII. The

triplet motor used in these two variations is reduced to dyads in Variations IX and X. However, Variation X is notable for augmenting the theme to make it last twice as long in order to reduce the momentum that has been building since Variation VI. Variation XI employs a whole-tone scale.[1] At the end of the piece, Lutosławski diverts from Paganini's coda and adds a new variation presenting the main theme again in augmented form to serve as recapitulation. After that, Paganini's original coda is reinstated.[1]

The 1978 version for piano and orchestra follows a similar structure. It is 9 minutes long and scored for piano solo and an orchestra made up of two flutes (second doubling piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets in B-flat, two bassoons (second doubling contrabassoon), four horns in F, three trumpets in C, three trombones, a tuba, timpani, a percussion section made up of a xylophone, a glockenspiel, a marimba, bells, and a vibraphone without motor, a harp, and a standard string section.

Other arrangements

Polish composer

Marta Ptaszyńska also re-arranged this composition for two pianos and percussion. This version was published by PWM Edition.[6]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ This includes repetitions.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Chen, Ling Chao (1996). An Analysis of Witold Lutoslawski's "Variations on a Theme by Paganini" for Two Pianos and an Original Composition "Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra". Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Variations on a Theme by Paganini [Wariacje ne temat Paganiniego], for two pianos | Witold Lutosławski". www.wisemusicclassical.com. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ Wager, Gregg. "Variations on a Theme of Paganini, for two pianos (Witold Lutosławski)". LA Phil. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Towarzystwo im. Witolda Lutosławskiego". www.lutoslawski.org.pl. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  5. ISBN 9780711929814
    . Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Witold Lutosławski, Variations On A Theme By Paganini". pwm.com.pl. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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