Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Variations

Compose Date

:

1940 - 1941

Average_duration

:

7:16

Anton Webern's 'Variations for orchestra, Op. 30' is a twelve-tone composition that was composed in 1940. The piece was premiered on February 6, 1942, in New York City, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The work is divided into two movements, with the first movement consisting of a theme and six variations, and the second movement consisting of a theme and four variations. The first movement of the piece begins with a theme that is presented by the strings. The theme is then followed by six variations, each of which explores different aspects of the theme. The variations are characterized by their brevity, with each variation lasting only a few seconds. The variations are also characterized by their use of different instrumental combinations, with each variation featuring a different group of instruments. The second movement of the piece begins with a theme that is presented by the woodwinds. The theme is then followed by four variations, each of which explores different aspects of the theme. The variations in the second movement are also characterized by their brevity and their use of different instrumental combinations. Overall, 'Variations for orchestra, Op. 30' is characterized by its use of the twelve-tone technique, which is a method of composition that uses a series of twelve pitches arranged in a specific order. The piece is also characterized by its brevity, with each variation lasting only a few seconds. The use of different instrumental combinations in each variation adds to the complexity and interest of the piece.

More....