Composer

:

Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Publication Date

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1824

Average_duration

:

1:20

Johann Nepomuk Hummel composed his "Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, S. 161" in 1824, and it premiered in Vienna the following year. The piece consists of a theme and 23 variations, with a coda to conclude the work. The theme is a waltz by Anton Diabelli, a composer and music publisher who had invited several prominent composers of the time, including Hummel, to contribute variations to a collection of variations on his waltz. Hummel's contribution, however, stands out as a work of its own, rather than simply a variation on Diabelli's theme. The variations showcase Hummel's virtuosic piano writing, with a range of technical challenges and expressive opportunities for the performer. The variations range in character from playful and light-hearted to dramatic and intense, with a variety of moods and tempos throughout the work. One notable feature of the piece is the use of a recurring motif, a descending chromatic scale, which appears in various forms throughout the variations. This motif serves to unify the work and create a sense of coherence despite the wide range of styles and moods in the individual variations. Overall, Hummel's "Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli" is a significant contribution to the genre of variation form, showcasing the composer's technical skill and expressive range.

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